A planned arms deal for General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s army (SAF) has stalled, with sources pointing to tensions linked to Islamist influence within the military leadership, according to a report by Africa Intelligence.
Diplomatic sources cited by the publication said a draft agreement to supply military equipment from Pakistan—facilitated by Saudi Arabia and valued at around $1.5 billion—has been put on hold. The deal had been under negotiation for months and included fighter jets, drones, and air defence systems.
Earlier this year, international media reports had described the agreement as close to completion. However, it was partially suspended amid persistent distrust between Riyadh and authorities based in Port Sudan, with regional tensions—including the war involving Iran—further complicating the situation.
Saudi officials are said to be increasingly frustrated with General al-Burhan’s SAF, viewing it as unreliable in both military and political commitments, according to the report.
The kingdom is now reportedly shifting toward supporting a civilian-led political transition in Sudan, reflecting growing reluctance to treat the army as a long-term partner. This shift has, in turn, deepened mistrust within General al-Burhan’s SAF, where concerns are rising over whether regional allies will continue their support.
The report also highlights dissatisfaction among some regional partners, particularly Egypt, over the SAF’s difficulty in distancing itself from hardline Islamist factions aligned with it.
In what was described as a goodwill gesture, General al-Burhan reportedly ordered the arrest on March 15 of Naji Abdullah, a leader of an Islamist “Popular Resistance” militia allied with the army, following remarks seen as supportive of Iran—despite Tehran’s longstanding backing of Sudanese military structures.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are ongoing ahead of a Berlin conference scheduled for April 15, involving the Quad countries and Western advisers. The United States has continued to press for the complete exclusion of hardline Islamist elements from the military.
The report also notes that relations between General al-Burhan’s SAF and Turkey remain sensitive. It claims that al-Burhan moved his family from Turkey to Qatar following the death of his son, Mohammed Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in a car accident in 2024, circumstances of which remain unclear.
Despite this, al-Burhan is said to be keen to maintain strong ties with Ankara, a key supplier of armed drones to his forces.
