SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has appointed Lt. Gen. Yasser al-Atta as chief of staff in a sweeping military reshuffle, a move widely seen as an attempt to reassert control after mounting battlefield losses.
The decision, announced Thursday, removes former chief of staff Lt. Gen. Mohamed Osman al-Hussein, who has been retired effective April 2 after serving in the role since 2019.
The overhaul marks the most significant restructuring of General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) since the war with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began nearly three years ago, and comes as the military faces increasing pressure on multiple fronts.
In recent months, forces aligned with General al-Burhan have suffered setbacks, particularly in Blue Nile state near the borders with South Sudan and Ethiopia, raising concerns over command effectiveness and operational cohesion.
Analysts say the appointment of al-Atta — a senior figure associated with the SAF’s hardline wing — reflects an effort to centralize decision-making and tighten internal discipline at a time of crisis.
Al-Atta rose to prominence after the fall of Omar al-Bashir in 2019, building influence beyond traditional military channels and cultivating networks within the armed forces. His approach has often diverged from conventional command structures, reinforcing his standing among more hardline elements.
Some observers also point to al-Atta’s perceived alignment with Sudan’s Islamist current, noting past rhetoric and reported ties that have drawn support from figures linked to the movement. The appointment comes weeks after Washington designated the Islamist network in Sudan as a terrorist organization, adding further scrutiny to the SAF’s internal power dynamics.
Alongside al-Atta’s appointment, the SAF named Lt. Gen. Abdelkhair Abdullah Nasser Dirjam as deputy chief of staff for administration, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Ali Ahmed Sabir as head of military intelligence, and Lt. Gen. Moatasim Abbas al-Tom Ahmed as deputy chief of staff for operations.
Further appointments include Lt. Gen. Haidar Ali al-Turaifi as deputy chief of staff for training and Lt. Gen. Khalafallah Abdullah Idris as deputy chief of staff for logistics.
The reshuffle also included promotions and retirements affecting senior officers, signaling a broader effort to reshape the command structure.
The changes come as the war between General al-Burhan’s SAF and the RSF approaches its third year, with no political settlement in sight and a worsening humanitarian crisis across Sudan.
Analysts say the restructuring underscores the leadership’s attempt to stabilize the military’s internal hierarchy after repeated setbacks — though its effectiveness in reversing the SAF’s trajectory remains uncertain.
