Sudan's Al Burhan using war to stay in power, says ex-ruling council member

Former member of Sudan's Sovereignty Council, Mohamed Al Faky, has accused de facto leader Abdel Fattah Al Burhan of using the ongoing war to maintain his grip on power. According to Al Faky, the war is crucial for Al Burhan's survival as both military head and de facto authority. The SAF chief insists on continued conflict because it validates his authority, he added.

Al Faky also alleged that the Muslim Brotherhood is fueling the conflict to regain power. He further accused Al Burhan of seeking to retain control by exploiting military force, territorial ownership, and the prolongation of the war. The head of the armed forces allegedly believes nothing should surpass the "voice of the gun," he said.

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused widespread devastation, crippling the country of 50 million people and its economy. International efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire have been unsuccessful. The war, now in its fourth year, has displaced about 14 million individuals, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.

The RSF controls parts of Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile regions, while the SAF governs Khartoum and northern, central, and eastern Sudan. Each side operates independently, with the army-aligned government based in Port Sudan on the Red Sea and the RSF's administration in Nyala, Darfur.

Europe has expressed dissatisfaction with the current military rule in Sudan and aims for a civilian government. European officials, including Nidal Shoukeir, a government consultant, are working alongside the US to put more pressure on the warring parties to bring stability, end the crisis, and allow civilians to govern Sudan. They emphasize the need for intervention, including potential sanctions and force, to address the issue.

Shoukeir also called for an urgent international investigation into allegations of chlorine attacks by the military, warning that the evidence may diminish over time.