Al-Burhan offered to step down, top general claims

KHARTOUM – A senior Sudanese military official has alleged that the country’s de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, offered to resign amid the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

General Yasser Abderrahman al-Atta, a controversial figure within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), told state-owned Sudan TV on Saturday that al-Burhan had expressed a desire to step down in favour of his deputy, Shams al-Din Kabashi.

“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. I refused and told al-Burhan not to step down until the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are defeated,” Atta said.

Al-Burhan, who seized power in a 2019 coup, has faced intense international criticism for his role in the conflict with the RSF, which has plunged Sudan into a humanitarian crisis.

Dismissing suggestions that the SAF was seeking a political role, al-Atta insisted the army’s sole focus was defeating the RSF before handing over power to a civilian administration. He ruled out any future role for former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, accusing him of supporting the RSF.

“We do not desire to rule, neither myself, al-Burhan, nor any member of the Sovereignty Council. We dream of the day when Sudan is safe and stable so we can hand over the trust,” Atta said.

Describing the RSF as “a group of gangs”, al-Atta vowed to continue the war until their complete elimination or surrender. He blamed the Sudanese Islamic Movement for an assassination attempt on al-Burhan and boasted about receiving significant arms supplies and forming an “international coalition” to support the army.

The claims come as US-led ceasefire talks are set to begin in Geneva in mid-August. While the RSF has expressed willingness to participate, the SAF has been more cautious.

Al-Atta’s comments are seen as part of a broader military mobilisation effort.