Head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, emphasized that negotiations to end the war should take place within the country. He stated that any initiative from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in East Africa is irrelevant to the Sudanese people.
In a speech delivered on Tuesday to the officers and soldiers of the 11th Infantry Division of the Sudanese Army in the city of Khashm al-Qirbah in the state of Kassala, al-Burhan urged politicians to seek solutions to the country’s crises from within, stressing the need to engage with all segments of the Sudanese people to find satisfactory solutions for all.
He also asserted that he would not accept negotiations that do not satisfy the Sudanese people and are not based on strong and solid foundations that preserve their dignity, emphasizing the necessity for the Rapid Support Forces to withdraw from civil institutions and civilian homes, without explicitly mentioning them by name.
Furthermore, al-Burhan, who also leads the Sudanese Armed Forces, expressed that he will not travel to meet with anyone, indicating his refusal to meet with former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Addis Ababa, as was recently arranged.
Earlier this month, the Sudanese Sovereignty Council President declined to participate in a meeting called for by IGAD, while Hamdalo agreed to attend.
In his address to the military personnel, al-Burhan affirmed that the initiatives of this African organization do not concern the Sudanese leadership, stating that Sudan does not accept externally imposed solutions.
It is worth mentioning that Sudan suspended its membership in the organization this month, despite efforts from the organization, along with other regional and international parties, to arrange a meeting between al-Burhan and Hamdalo.
Last Sunday, the President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council visited Algeria and stated that his country is facing a conspiracy involving regional and international partners. Prior to that, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces conducted a tour in Africa, including Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
