Monday, August 19, 2025
Khartoum, Sudan–Sudan's army chief and de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has carried out a sweeping reshuffle of the country's top military command as Sudan's devastating conflict and political crisis enter a critical phase.
The changes, announced late Monday, affect several senior commanders and strategic units within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). According to a statement from the military, the restructuring is intended to "strengthen operational effectiveness and respond to the challenges facing the nation."
Sudan has been in turmoil since April 2023, when tensions between Burhan's SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, exploded into open warfare. The conflict has plunged the country into one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, displacing more than 10 million people and killing thousands.
Entire communities have been uprooted, particularly in Darfur, Khartoum, and Kordofan, where intense clashes continue. Aid agencies warn of looming famine and a collapse of essential health services, leaving millions in urgent need of food, shelter, and medical assistance.
The military reshuffle comes as Burhan faces mounting pressure both at home and abroad. Sudan's long-promised transition to civilian rule remains stalled following the 2021 coup that toppled a fragile power-sharing arrangement. The current war has further derailed any prospects of democratic governance, deepening public frustration and international concern.
Observers suggest that the shake-up is aimed at consolidating Burhan's hold on the army while countering the RSF's battlefield advances. However, analysts caution that new appointments alone are unlikely to change the balance of power or bring the warring sides closer to peace.
The African Union, United Nations, and neighboring countries have renewed calls for a ceasefire and a return to political dialogue. Yet, with both the SAF and RSF determined to assert control, peace efforts remain stalled.
Human rights groups continue to document grave abuses against civilians, including mass displacement, sexual violence, and targeted attacks in Darfur. NGOs stress the urgent need for safe humanitarian corridors to deliver lifesaving assistance to those trapped by the fighting.
As Sudan's conflict drags on, Burhan's reshuffle underscores the fragility of the military landscape and the high stakes for a country struggling to survive under war, political strain, and humanitarian collapse.
Olagunju B.F
Source: Africanews.com
