Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan reshuffles top command amid civil war
The appointments, which were made a day after several long-serving officers retired, include changes to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the inspector general, and the head of the air force.
Sudan's army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced a major reshuffle of senior military officers on Monday, strengthening his control over the army as clashes continue with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the west.
The appointments, which were made a day after several long-serving officers retired, include changes to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the inspector general, and the head of the Air Force.
Reports indicate that the army chief retained General Mohamed Osman al-Hussein as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. The retained general has held the position since 2019.
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According to The Sudan Tribune, Burhan also replaced several deputy chiefs of staff under Mohammed and appointed new commanders across key branches.
The changes include new deputies for logistics, training, administration, and operations, as well as a new head of military intelligence.
Similarly, Burhan appointed Major General Mutasim Abbas al-Tom Ahmed as Inspector General, filling a post left vacant after his predecessor was captured by the RSF in 2023.
Former air force chief, Lieutenant General al-Tahir Mohamed al-Awad al-Amin, was similarly promoted to general and retired, with new commanders installed to lead the air force and air defence forces.
Al-Amin had previously been sanctioned by the European Union (EU) over alleged responsibility for "indiscriminate aerial bombardment of densely populated residential areas" during the conflict.
Similarly, General Nasr Eldeen Abdel Fattah, commander of the armoured corps, and General Nader Al Mansouri, commander of the Presidential Guards, were also retired.
On Sunday, a separate decree issued by the army chief placed all armed groups fighting alongside the army, including former Darfur rebels, Islamist brigades, tribal militias and civilian volunteers, under his direct command.
Analysts suggest Burhan's move to bring allied militias directly under army command may be connected to his recent meeting in Switzerland with US Africa adviser Massad Boulos.
Observers also noted that several of the generals slated for retirement were believed to have ties to Islamist groups, whose expanding influence has raised concerns among Sudan's regional and international partners.
The civil war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 when the army and the RSF clashed over plans to integrate their forces.
The RSF initially captured parts of central Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum, but the army has gradually regained territory and pushed the paramilitary westward, intensifying fighting in the region.
The war has fueled what the United Nations (UN) describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands killed and more than 13 million people displaced.
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