SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has sparked widespread reactions following his recent statements rejecting the return of the National Congress Party (NCP) and the “Taqaddum” Coordination to power.
Speaking during the conclusion of political and societal consultations in Port Sudan on Saturday, al-Burhan criticized the NCP for political opportunism and accused Taqaddum of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The disbanded NCP, along with some of its leadership, sharply rebuked al-Burhan’s remarks. In a statement, the NCP’s political sector, shared with Radio Dabanga, condemned the SAF leader for targeting the party at every opportunity to please weak and fragile factions, referring to Taqaddum and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC).
The NCP emphasized that it was premature to engage in conflicts and political disputes during the ongoing war, stressing that after the war, no one would be able to constrain their will, with a readiness to accept elections.
Meanwhile, Khalid Omar Youssef, a leader in Taqaddum, commented on the disorder within the former regime’s ranks after al-Burhan’s speech, underscoring the nature of the war and its objectives. He asserted that the NCP and its Islamic Movement were using the conflict to regain full control of the government.
Youssef pointed to conflicting statements within the NCP, with some members attacking al-Burhan while others attempted tactical negotiations with him, revealing their true intention for power.
Shereef Mohamed Osman, political secretary of the Sudanese Congress Party, expressed that al-Burhan’s attack on Islamists, claiming they would not rule over the bodies of Sudanese citizens, was a clear message that placed responsibility for the war on the SAF leadership.
Additionally, al-Burhan directed the passport administration to stop issuing documents to Sudanese citizens.
Suleiman Sandal, head of the Justice and Equality Movement, dismissed al-Burhan’s statements about the NCP’s return as an attempt to mislead the Sudanese people, asserting that the NCP was already entrenched within state institutions. Sandal also criticized al-Burhan’s endorsement of “Taqaddum” leaders, suggesting the NCP was behind the military’s current situation and that al-Burhan’s continued war effort was a distraction from the ongoing political reality.
Furthermore, Salah Manah, a leader in the Umma Party, accused al-Burhan of dishonesty, pointing to contradictions in his handling of previous political promises, including his role in the October 25 coup. Manah argued that the current war was sparked by al-Burhan’s betrayal, designed to restore the NCP to power.
Ahmad Mohamed Haroun, a former NCP official sought by the International Criminal Court, reiterated that national interest supersedes party interests and reiterated his commitment to returning to power solely through democratic elections.
Yasir Arman, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (Democratic Revolutionary Stream), noted that al-Burhan’s shift from rhetoric about complete military victory to a broader political discourse indicated a potential openness to dialogue, despite the war’s ongoing devastation. He called for all revolutionary forces, inside and outside Sudan, to discuss a peaceful resolution without preconditions.
On the other hand, Hamid Mumtaz, an NCP official, described al-Burhan’s speech as an attempt to placate a partner who betrayed the nation’s stability, implying a closer relationship with Taqaddum. He labeled the speech as a cover-up for the military’s complicity.
Amid ongoing tensions, key figures continue to weigh in on the future of Sudan’s political landscape, with various factions calling for a comprehensive national dialogue to address the war’s implications and Sudan’s broader political crisis.
