Sudanese Military Leader, al-Burhan Offered To Resign, Says Armed Forces Assistant Commander-in-Chief
Al-Atta is the Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces and a member of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council since August 21, 2019.
In a surprise move, Sudan’s military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has offered to hand over power to his deputy commander, according to Yasir Al-Atta in statement on state television Saturday.
Al-Atta is the Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces and a member of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council since August 21, 2019.
This gesture underscores the military’s reluctance to retain power after the conflict ends.
Al-Atta disclosed that Burhan had expressed his willingness to step down several days ago, but Al-Atta advised him to wait until the war’s conclusion, according to Sudan Tribune.
This announcement comes amidst criticism of Burhan’s leadership during the ongoing clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“Three or four days ago, I was talking to al-Burhan, and he said to me: ‘I’ve reached my limit. Agree with (Shams al-Din) Kabbashi (the army deputy commander in chief) so we can hand over power to him,” al-Atta said.
Lt. Gen. Shams El-Dein El Kabbashi is the Deputy Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Commander.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has alleged that the Sudanese army is under the influence of Islamist elements.
However, army deputy chief Yasir Al-Atta countered by accusing the RSF of recruiting Islamist officers who were previously dismissed during the transitional period following Omar al-Bashir’s ousting in 2019.
Al-Atta also criticized the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), a civilian alliance, for advocating a ceasefire, stating that they lack the necessary experience to govern.
In a televised interview, Al-Atta reaffirmed the military’s resolve to continue fighting until the RSF, referred to as “Janjaweed” by the army, are either defeated or surrender unconditionally. This statement underscores the deepening divisions and determination of the army to achieve a decisive victory.
