Al-Burhan’s Speech..!!

By Al-Tahir Sati

:: Since yesterday, if there is anything that deserves criticism, it is not the speech of the Chairman of the Sovereign Council and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, but rather the occasion and timing of the speech… Yes, the occasion and timing, not the speech itself, are what should be criticized!

:: Just as God has afflicted this country with the Dagalo family militia, He has also afflicted it with the militia of idleness known as the political elite—some of whom are currently crowded in Port Sudan, distracting the government, the army, and the people from the battle for dignity!

:: Al-Burhan addressed this idle elite, received from them what they described as a roadmap and political vision, which in reality is nothing but empty rhetoric—words that wouldn’t even resolve a family dispute, let alone the crisis of an entire country and its people!

:: We have advised the idlers of Port Sudan not to crowd together, for now is the time to liberate Sudan from the Dagalo militia and move forward—not to engage in the nonsense called political activity. Liberation will only be complete when Darfur is declared free of the Janjaweed. So be patient!

:: We also advised them that if they have a political project in mind, now is not the time to present it. It is neither ethical nor appropriate to discuss power and governance while the people and their army are sacrificing their lives and blood to reclaim their nation from criminals!

:: Yet, the idlers of Port Sudan ignored this advice and gathered anyway, prompting Al-Burhan to address them. But he should not have accepted their invitation. Instead, he should have responded as follows: (“I am not idle like you, nor do I have time for you”)—and continued leading the battle!

:: The important point is that there is nothing in Al-Burhan’s speech that warrants criticism or outrage. What is there to be angry about when he affirms that it is the people—not a party or a group—who are fighting alongside the army? What is upsetting about his call for individuals to stop posturing over the army and the people?

:: What is outrageous about his reminder to political parties that ruling Sudan must come through elections and not by force? And what is wrong with his call for those fighting for a party or a group to return to their factions, while those fighting for the nation remain in the trench of the homeland?

:: He delivered a speech that reassured both the Sudanese people and the international community. There is nothing in his words to provoke anger—unless, of course, someone is hiding ulterior motives (i.e., aspiring for power or fighting for a party rather than the country).

:: As for granting amnesty to the Janjaweed of the Dagalo family and the operatives of Taqaddum—this is neither surprising nor new. The presidential pardon that included Kaykal will certainly extend to every repentant individual returning to the nation’s embrace from the arms of treachery, mercenarism, and rebellion!

:: Kaykal committed the same atrocities against the people of Al-Jazira as Hemedti’s and Hamdok’s Janjaweed are committing against the people of Sudan. Yet, he repented and is now contributing to the liberation effort. Only a stubborn person would deny the significant impact of Kaykal’s defection on the battlefield in Al-Jazira and Khartoum.

:: The dispute with the operatives of Taqaddum is not personal; it is a matter of principles. If they abandon their treachery and mercenarism and repent, they have the right to be included in the general amnesty, just as Kaykal was—without infringing on the right of victims to seek justice.

:: Ultimately, even though the timing may not have been ideal, Al-Burhan has successfully outlined a roadmap for the post-war phase. There will be no return to pre-April 11, 2019, nor to pre-October 25, 2021. A government of independent technocrats—backed by the people—will lead the transition. Let us hope for this and work toward it!