ABDEL FATTAH AL-BURHAN

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was born in 1960 in Gandatu, a village in northern Sudan, into a family with Sufi traditions. After completing his early education locally and advancing his studies in Shendi, he entered the Sudanese Military College. Al-Burhan’s career in the Sudanese armed forces began on the front lines, where he gained experience in conflict zones such as Darfur and southern Sudan during the civil war. His commitment and expertise led to a series of promotions; he eventually became a regional commander in Darfur and pursued specialized training in Egypt and Jordan. By 2018, he held the rank of commander of Sudan’s ground forces, further rising to Chief of Staff and then Inspector General of the Sudanese Army.

In early 2019, as Sudan faced waves of popular protests against the regime of Omar al-Bashir, al-Burhan emerged as a key military leader. Following al-Bashir's ouster, he swiftly assumed leadership of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), signaling his intent to transition Sudan toward a civilian government. However, relations between the TMC and pro-democracy activists quickly became strained. In June 2019, a violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in Khartoum resulted in significant casualties and widespread condemnation. This event led to further isolation between the military-led government and opposition leaders, with al-Burhan’s role increasingly criticized internationally.

In October 2021, al-Burhan led a coup that deposed Sudan’s civilian-led government, sparking additional protests and heightening tensions within Sudan. Although he promised to relinquish military control after future elections, ongoing resistance to a democratic transition fueled skepticism about his intentions. Al-Burhan continued to maneuver through complex regional and international relationships, including his interactions with leaders from Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, who were perceived as supporting a non-democratic approach in Sudan. His administration also faced accusations of facilitating Russian influence within Sudan, notably through agreements tied to gold exports during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In April 2023, Sudan plunged into renewed conflict as clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These hostilities displaced al-Burhan from Khartoum, where he continued to assert his leadership from Port Sudan. His authority remained tested by external support aligning with both sides, intensifying the conflict’s stakes. A significant incident in July 2024 underscored the dangers he faced when he survived a targeted assassination attempt during a public event, an attack that claimed the lives of five others.

Al-Burhan’s personal life faced tragedy when his son, Mohammed, was injured in an accident in Turkey in early 2024, ultimately succumbing to his injuries two months later.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdel_Fattah_al-Burhan