Abdel Fattah Al-burhan
Research by Beyonddennis
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, born in 1960, hails from the village of Gandatu in the Nile River State, northern Sudan. His early life was relatively low-profile, and he embarked on a military career that would eventually place him at the forefront of Sudanese politics. He received his education at the Sudanese Military College, graduating in 1983. This foundational training set the stage for a long and significant career within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
His early years in the military involved various assignments, allowing him to gain diverse experience across different units and regions. This period was crucial for understanding the intricate dynamics of the Sudanese military, a key institution in the country's political landscape.
Rise Through the Ranks: From Darfur to Commander
Al-Burhan steadily climbed the ranks of the Sudanese Armed Forces, holding various influential positions. He served in the highly volatile Darfur region, where he was involved in military operations during the conflict. His experience in Darfur, a region marked by intense conflict and humanitarian crises, provided him with a deep, albeit controversial, understanding of internal security challenges. He later held the position of commander of the Sudanese ground forces. This role was significant as it gave him direct oversight of the army's operational capabilities and personnel.
Prior to his more public roles, al-Burhan also served as the commander of the Border Guards, a unit often implicated in human rights abuses during the Darfur conflict. Despite these controversies, he continued to advance, eventually being appointed as the Inspector General of the Sudanese Armed Forces. His rapid ascent underscored his growing influence and trust within the military hierarchy under then-President Omar al-Bashir. In February 2019, just months before al-Bashir's ouster, he was appointed head of the ground forces.
The Post-Bashir Era: Leading the Transition
The pivotal moment in al-Burhan's career arrived with the April 2019 Sudanese revolution, which led to the overthrow of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir. Following al-Bashir's removal, a Transitional Military Council (TMC) was formed to govern the country. Initially, Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf led the TMC, but he stepped down swiftly, reportedly due to public pressure and his close ties to the old regime. On April 12, 2019, al-Burhan was announced as the new head of the TMC.
As the head of the TMC, al-Burhan became the de facto leader of Sudan during a highly volatile period. His immediate challenge was to manage the demands of the protest movement, which called for a swift transition to civilian rule. He engaged in negotiations with the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), a broad coalition of civilian opposition groups. These negotiations were fraught with tension, particularly after the violent dispersal of a sit-in outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on June 3, 2019, an event that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
Despite the violence, negotiations eventually led to the signing of a power-sharing agreement in August 2019. This agreement established the Sovereign Council, a joint military-civilian body tasked with overseeing a three-year transitional period leading to elections. Al-Burhan was appointed as the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, solidifying his position as the head of state, albeit under a power-sharing arrangement. His role was intended to be transitional, with the chairmanship to be handed over to a civilian leader after 21 months.
The October 2021 Coup and Its Aftermath
The delicate balance of power within the Sovereign Council was shattered on October 25, 2021, when al-Burhan dissolved the transitional government and declared a state of emergency. He arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other civilian leaders, effectively orchestrating a military coup. Al-Burhan justified the coup by citing infighting among political factions and the military's responsibility to protect the nation.
The coup was widely condemned internationally, leading to the suspension of foreign aid and significant protests within Sudan. Hamdok was briefly reinstated under a new agreement in November 2021, but he resigned in January 2022 amidst continued protests and a lack of progress towards genuine civilian rule. This left al-Burhan firmly in control, solidifying the military's grip on power and effectively derailing Sudan's democratic transition.
The period following the coup saw a severe crackdown on dissent, with numerous protesters killed and injured. Al-Burhan's actions plunged Sudan into further political instability and economic hardship, leading to a significant deterioration of the country's international standing.
Current Role and the Ongoing Conflict
As of mid-2025, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan remains the de facto leader of Sudan. His control is, however, challenged by the ongoing conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which he commands, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo. This conflict has devastated Sudan, leading to a massive humanitarian crisis, widespread displacement, and thousands of deaths.
The conflict stems from deep-seated rivalries between the SAF and RSF, particularly concerning the integration of the RSF into the regular army and control over resources and political power. Al-Burhan has largely been seen leading the SAF efforts against the RSF, often appearing in military fatigues and making public statements vowing to defeat his former ally. The war has further complicated any prospects for a return to civilian rule and has raised severe concerns about the future of Sudan as a unified state.
Internationally, al-Burhan faces immense pressure to end the conflict and transition power to a civilian government. However, the internal dynamics of the war and the entrenched positions of the warring factions make a swift resolution challenging. His leadership continues to be scrutinized amidst accusations of human rights abuses and the devastating impact of the conflict on the Sudanese population.
Conclusion: A Figure at the Crossroads of Sudanese History
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's journey reflects the turbulent political landscape of Sudan. From a career military officer, he rose to become the nation's leader during a critical period of transition, only to later consolidate military control. His decisions have profoundly shaped Sudan's trajectory, leading the country from the hope of a democratic revolution to the despair of a devastating civil conflict. As Sudan grapples with an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and an uncertain future, al-Burhan's role remains central to understanding the country's ongoing crisis and its potential path forward.