The recent dismissal of Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Amb. Dr. Ali Yousef Al-Sharif, after just three months in office, has sent shockwaves through the country’s political circles, raising concerns about the stability of Sudan’s de facto government under Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Al-Sharif, who succeeded Amb. Hussein Awad in November 2024, was abruptly removed from his position as part of a broader wave of political purges that have affected both civilian and military officials since the eruption of the Sudanese conflict between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-2023.
The foreign minister’s dismissal followed a series of turbulent political changes, including widespread reports of further imminent dismissals in key government ministries such as Education, Health, Interior, Energy, and Commerce, as well as the removal of state governors in the Red Sea, Northern, River Nile, Kassala, and El-Gedaref states.
While the Sudanese public remains largely unaware of the key officials being replaced, the sudden moves have led analysts to speculate that they may be aimed at consolidating political loyalty amid the war’s deepening crisis. Al-Burhan’s administration has been accused of monopolizing decisions regarding executive appointments since the onset of the conflict.
Social media posts from influential figures suggested that Al-Sharif’s removal was linked to his controversial comments equating the SAF and RSF as “the two warring parties.” This public statement reportedly drew backlash from both Al-Burhan’s loyalists and former regime supporters, who see such remarks as undermining the legitimacy of the SAF.
The foreign minister’s brief tenure also saw him secure Sudan’s temporary reinstatement in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), before the Sudanese government requested a suspension of its membership. This move, some analysts argue, exemplifies the ongoing political maneuvering from the remnants of the former regime, particularly in their dealings with regional and international institutions.
The Foreign Ministry has been particularly unstable in recent years. In April 2024, Ali Al-Sadig was dismissed without an official explanation, with speculation focusing on a clash over foreign policy strategy, especially given Al-Burhan’s centralization of foreign affairs decision-making.
Amid the ongoing war, Al-Burhan has overseen several dismissals of key ministers and heads of state institutions, often without clear justifications. These changes have led some to argue that Al-Burhan may be using the conflict as an opportunity to remove perceived threats within his government, including figures linked to civilian forces and those with differing views on the management of the war.
The conflict has also contributed to changes within Sudan’s military ranks. Leaked reports suggest that Al-Burhan made key appointments to strengthen the influence of Islamist factions within the SAF, a decision that has influenced both military operations and internal power dynamics.
Political analysts suggest that the series of dismissals, including Al-Sharif’s, reflects a broader atmosphere of uncertainty and desperation within Al-Burhan’s government, as the ongoing war strains the administration’s ability to function effectively. Ehab Al-Hassan, a political analyst, noted that such changes could be efforts to reassert control in the face of mounting internal political divisions and external pressures.
Omar Sufyan Salem, another political analyst, argued that these frequent dismissals may be aimed at distracting public attention from the growing power of the RSF, led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and shifting focus away from the war’s increasingly bleak outlook. He warned that the repeated reshuffling of officials indicated deeper fractures within Sudan’s government, which is struggling to maintain its grip on power.
As Sudan’s political crisis deepens, these rapid changes in leadership suggest that Al-Burhan’s authority may be on the verge of collapse, with internal divisions, shifting allegiances, and ongoing military challenges threatening the stability of his government.
