Sudanese writer Dr. Murtada Al-Ghali has accused supporters of General Abdel Fattah al Burhan of adopting what he says as a contradictory position by blaming civilian political forces for Sudan’s ties with Israel while defending the SAF’s own engagement with the country.
Writing in an opinion article, Al-Ghali argues that Burhan and his Islamist allies have maintained well-documented contacts with Israel over the years.
As evidence, he cites a visit by former Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen to Khartoum, where Cohen reportedly met Burhan and senior military officials to discuss strengthening bilateral military cooperation.
According to Al-Ghali, Cohen was also granted access to the Yarmouk Industrial Complex, a high-security military facility that he says is normally inaccessible to the general public.
He further claims Sudanese officials presented Cohen with an M-16 rifle in a red velvet box during the visit.
Al-Ghali notes that the Yarmouk complex is named after the historic Battle of Yarmouk, a landmark Muslim victory over the Byzantine Empire, and argues that its symbolic significance was undermined by the military leadership’s engagement with Israel.
He also writes that Israeli officials, including Cohen, acknowledged that Sudan’s civilian political leadership opposed normalization with Israel, while Burhan’s military leadership supported closer ties.
The article further claims that an Israeli delegation visited Khartoum shortly before Burhan’s military coup to assess relations with the incoming authorities.
According to Al-Ghali, Burhan has never sought to conceal his contacts with Israel and has instead used them to bolster his political position.
Al-Ghali concludes by questioning why pro-military commentators continue, in his view, to blame civilian forces while defending what he describes as the military leadership’s inconsistent policies.
