Sudan's Gen Al Burhan Faces Allegations of Political Scheaming While Civil War Threatens a Generation of Children

Political figures and analysts have accused the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, of political manoeuvring and remaining under the influence of the Islamist movement. Critics have also warned that the prolonged civil war is depriving Sudan's children of education and exposing them to forced recruitment.

In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Mohamed Abdel Hakam, a leader of the Sumoud alliance, Sudan’s largest civilian coalition, stated that Gen Al Burhan maintained full control over the army and the levers of power. However, he noted that the army chief faced constraints on decision-making due to the influence of allied groups, including individuals within his own office. Mr Abdel Hakam alleged that Gen Al Burhan made significant concessions during his meeting with Massad Boulos, US senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, in Egypt on October 5.

Those talks occurred on the sidelines of the African Union’s co-ordination meeting, less than two weeks after Washington withheld a visa for Gen Al Burhan ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York. This diplomatic move was reportedly linked to the army-led administration’s resistance to a US proposal advocating for a 90-day humanitarian ceasefire, which would be followed by political negotiations aimed at ending the war and restoring a transition to civilian rule. Sudan maintained that it did not reject the proposal, but instead submitted comments on it.

Hashim Abu Ranat, a political analyst and military expert, also accused Gen Al Burhan of political scheming. He asserted that the army chief had accepted certain conditions while remaining reluctant to disclose them to his allies. Mr Abu Ranat claimed that Gen Al Burhan returned to his allies to announce his preparedness to make concessions, all while continuing to pursue his objectives in Darfur, which included driving out the Janjaweed militia. Furthermore, he alleged that the Islamic Movement held a decisive role in shaping political and military decisions alongside affiliated army officers. "Al Burhan is a tool in the hands of the Islamic Movement," Mr Abu Ranat stated.

Meanwhile, Sudanese activist Nagisa Hagar issued a warning regarding the conflict's impact on children, stating it is depriving an entire generation of an education. She noted that many children who should be attending kindergarten or primary school have lost these critical years, leaving them completely outside the education system. Ms Hagar further highlighted the grave danger of children facing recruitment by the warring parties, specifically pointing to the Sudanese army and its affiliated groups. She referenced published videos showing children being recruited, warning of the serious threats posed by forced recruitment and the imposition of adult responsibilities onto children and state institutions.

The war erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary over the transition to civilian rule and the planned integration of their rival bodies. Despite numerous diplomatic initiatives, a lasting ceasefire has not been secured. According to the UN World Food Programme, the ongoing conflict has generated one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, displacing more than 14 million people and leaving nearly 20 million facing hunger.