SAF Chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has issued a strict directive banning allied jihadist militias from releasing any press statements.
The SAF emphasized that only the official SAF spokesperson is authorized to speak about military operations, raising concerns about the extent of the SAF’s control over jihadist militias once considered key allies in the ongoing conflict.
According to sources, the SAF has prohibited commanders from militias such as Abu Aqila Kikel of “Sudan Shield” and Al-Misbah Talha of “Brigade Al-Baraa Bin Malik,” as well as commanders of joint forces, from making any statements without prior coordination with the official spokesperson.
Reports indicate that this move has sparked significant discontent among the militias, which see themselves as central to the ground operations, rather than the SAF alone. .
Strategic expert Adel Bashir suggested that if the SAF leadership truly respected its own institution, it would not have allowed the formation of parallel militias in the first place. He added that the decision to ban press statements reflects al-Burhan and his generals’ belief that the militias now pose a threat to their political future.
Bashir further pointed out that al-Burhan initiated the formation of multiple militias, providing them with training and armaments to fight the “Rapid Support Forces” (RSF) on behalf of a SAF that appeared unconvinced of the war’s justification.
“He unleashed these militias, allowing them to act freely, so how can he now restrict their media statements after letting them commit violations?” Bashir questioned.
He speculated that the SAF’s move stems from the fact that the militias are increasingly claiming credit for military victories, which has made al-Burhan and his generals anxious about their diminishing control over the conflict narrative.
Bashir expressed doubts that these militias would comply with the ban, as they remain the primary fighters on the ground, not the SAF. He cited the “Joint Forces” in Darfur, which have been issuing press statements about developments in the city of El Fasher, positioning themselves as the key force in the region.
Political analyst Salah Hassan Jumaa also weighed in, suggesting that the SAF’s move to restrict media statements from allied militias signals that it no longer feels reliant on them, having recently strengthened its position. “Why wasn’t this decision made earlier?” he asked, speculating that the SAF initially needed the militias but no longer does. Jumaa also proposed that the SAF’s success in breaking the siege on its general command headquarters in Khartoum could have led to a shift in its strategy.
Recent statements from some militias, claiming unverified victories, and interviews with their leaders on media outlets have caused concern. Without intervention, Jumaa argued, this could signal that the militias have gained control over the war’s decision-making process.
He also doubted that the militias would abide by the ban, citing some criticism of the ban from supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Among the most prominent militias allied with the SAF are those linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, including “Brigade Al-Baraa Bin Malik,” “Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous,” and “The Popular Resistance.”
These groups have made frequent media appearances, especially following military advances in the Gezira region and parts of Khartoum.
Key figures leading these militias include Ahmad Harun, a former official wanted by the International Criminal Court, and Ali Karti, the Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement. Both have been seen operating in areas controlled by the SAF in northern and eastern Sudan.
Another significant militia is the “Sudan Shield Forces,” led by Abu Aqila Kikel, a former RSF member who defected in October 2024. Al-Burhan has overseen the arming of the Shukriya tribe in central Sudan, incorporating them into the fighting.
There is also a tribal militia known as the “Eastern Command Forces,” which is accused of providing cover for Eritrean intervention in the Sudanese war and faces widespread opposition in the eastern region due to concerns that it could escalate the conflict.
