Sudan's Burhan abolishes top army leadership posts

Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairperson Abdel Fattah al Burhan on Monday issued a decree abolishing the posts of deputy and assistant commanders of the army, according to a military statement.

The Sudanese army said the move nullifies Resolution No. 164 of 2023, which had established the roles of a deputy commander-in-chief and assistants to the army chief.

Those affected by the cancelled appointments will remain members of the Armed Forces Command Authority, the statement added, without providing further details.

On May 19, 2023, Al Burhan had appointed Shams al Din Kabbashi as deputy commander, and Yasser al Atta and Ibrahim Jaber as assistants to the commander-in-chief.

Served as members of transitional government

All three officials have also served as members of Sudan’s Sovereign Council representing the military since August 2019.

The decision follows al Burhan’s recent dismissal of Chief of Staff Mohamed al Hussein, who was referred to retirement, and the appointment of Yasser al-Atta as his successor.

The developments come amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023 and has killed thousands and displaced millions.