Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan has ruled out a return to power for former prime minister Abdalla Hamdok and his former political allies, and demanded the disarmament and surrender of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Speaking at a rally in Wadi Halfa on Tuesday, he said Sudan’s political future would be determined inside the country, rejecting what he described as attempts to gain power through foreign support.
“No one will ever again sit on the neck of the Sudanese people. Neither Hamdok will return, nor will Qahat,” Al-Burhan said, referring to the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), the civilian alliance that shared power with the military during Sudan’s troubled transition.
“There is no place in Sudan for traitors, agents or mercenaries,” he added.
His remarks targeted both the armed rebellion and civilian opponents operating abroad, underscoring the deep divisions over how to end the war and restore civilian government.
Sudan’s conflict erupted in April 2023 between Burhan’s armed forces and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.
The two commanders had previously joined forces in the October 2021 coup that disrupted the transition following the overthrow of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Al-Burhan rejected negotiations with the RSF, which he described as a rebel militia.
“We have nothing to discuss with the rebel militia. Either it lays down its arms and surrenders, or we will finish it off entirely,” he said.
He also accused the Hamdok-led civilian coalition, Sumud, of campaigning against Sudan abroad.
“SUMUD are roaming abroad from country to country, inciting against Sudan. To them we also say: come inside, sit with the people. You cannot impose anything on us from outside.”
Sumud emerged after the Taqaddum civilian coalition split in February 2025 over proposals for a parallel government in RSF-controlled territory.
Those who opposed that initiative formed Sumud, while supporters joined the separate RSF-aligned Tasis coalition.
Hamdok has advocated a negotiated settlement, arguing that military victories alone cannot end the conflict.
In August, he renewed calls for civilian unity and regional engagement to resolve the war.
Burhan said Sudanese abroad could return and participate in discussions, but rejected any attempt to take power through weapons or external backing.
“Whoever wants to come, let them come here and sit with us. But we are done with anyone who takes up arms from abroad and arms themselves from abroad to come and rule us,” he said.
“Sudan is open to all Sudanese. But no one can come to us from outside, not with weapons, not through collaboration, not as mercenaries.”
Despite explicitly rejecting Hamdok and the FFC’s return, Burhan told the gathering that the right to choose Sudan’s leaders belonged to its citizens.
“You are the owners and masters of this country. Whoever rules you will come only through elections.”
The remarks supplied did not set out an election timetable or explain how political participation would be organized.
During the visit, Burhan saluted residents of Wadi Halfa for supporting the army’s campaign, which it calls the “Battle of Dignity,” and recalled the community’s historic sacrifices associated with the dam.
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