Sudan’s head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said on Monday that the Sudanese people hold the exclusive right to self-determination and choosing their government, as he announced a comprehensive reshuffle of the military’s top command.
In a speech marking the anniversaries of the April 6 uprisings in 1985 and 2019, Burhan stated that the armed forces remain committed to achieving a democratic transition. He said the military leadership responded to popular demands in 1985 and again in 2019, and would continue the process of national development that began at those milestones.
“The Sudanese people stood firmly on April 15, 2023, alongside the armed forces in the battle of dignity against the rebellion,” Burhan said. He added that when the situation becomes difficult for the people, they turn to the armed forces, which respond to their demands immediately.
Burhan described these instances as “bright spots” in the history of the military and “honourable” moments for the nation. He further stated that the Sudanese people do not accept “humiliation or submissiveness” and do not stand by “with their hands tied in the face of any tyranny.”
The general emphasised that the armed forces are proceeding with the completion of the “construction process” started in 1985 and 2019. He stressed a commitment to the desired democratic transition, where the people alone possess the right to decide their fate and choose their leaders through the means they find acceptable.
In a simultaneous development, Sudan’s Sovereignty Council issued a decree forming a new General Staff led by General Yasser Abdel Rahman Hassan al-Atta. The military statement confirmed that Burhan, acting as Commander-in-Chief, issued the orders for the new appointments to take effect immediately.
The restructuring includes the appointment of General Abdel Khair Abdullah Nasser Darjam as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and General Mohamed Ali Ahmed Sabir as Head of Military Intelligence. General Moatasem Abbas el-Tom Ahmed was named Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.
The decree also appointed General Haider Ali el-Tarifi Ali as Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and General Khalafalla Abdullah Idris Abdelrahman as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics.
