Sudanese Army Chief Relocates After Assassination Attempt

The Sudanese army chief has been forced to relocate following an assassination attempt, raising security concerns and highlighting ongoing instability in the region.

Since the onset of fighting in the country, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has relocated his command center for a second time.

A senior army officer has stated that General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has instructed his headquarters to be moved closer to Khartoum in Omdurman. This relocation will enable him to spearhead military operations against paramilitary fighters more effectively.

The SAF’s assistant commander-in-chief, Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta, declared the decision during a speech to troops in Omdurman on Tuesday. The declaration arrives after one week of reporting an effort to assassinate Burhan by drones that targeted a military graduation ceremony located in Gebeit towards east; five individuals died and multiple others were injured due to this attack according to authorities.

Atta proclaimed that the militia will be defeated by the Commander-in-Chief’s unwavering resolution and determination, even if it takes one hundred years to achieve a victory under his guidance with divine assistance.

Burhan, who has assumed leadership of the nation in Africa, has been residing in Port Sudan situated on the Red Sea coast since August last year. This was after Khartoum’s army headquarters were taken over by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

An armed conflict has been raging in the northeastern African nation since April 2023, sparked by a disagreement between SAF commander Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo regarding a proposed civilian regime transition. The violence has been brutal.

Partners cited by the UN’s humanitarian affairs office reported that the 15-month war has resulted in more than 18,000 fatalities and over 33,000 injuries. Additionally, according to UN estimates, nearly 11 million individuals have been displaced within their own country while over half of its inhabitants are faced with acute food shortages.

Next week in Geneva, Switzerland, talks for a ceasefire will commence with mediation from the US and Saudi Arabia. The United Nations, African Union, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are set to observe these discussions.

While paramilitary leader Daglo has consented to showing up, his opponent Burhan strongly emphasized that the Sudanese administration’s apprehensions must be resolved beforehand any conversation takes place.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry previously stated in a response to the invitation that negotiations cannot take place until there is complete withdrawal and cessation of expansion by the RSF, as it would not be accepted by the people of Sudan.

Despite regional and international attempts to negotiate a ceasefire between the SAF and RSF, such as discussions sponsored by the US and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah towards the end of last year, none have been successful.