General Al-Kabbashi: A Master of Military Studies

Sudan Events – Agencies

Shams al-Din al-Kabbashi is a Sudanese military officer and politician, who began his military career with academic excellence and professional advancement. He played a pivotal role in Sudan’s political life after the 2018 Sudanese revolution, participating in negotiations and forming the transitional government. He became one of the most prominent military and political leaders in the country.

He served in a variety of formations and units, participating in military missions across different operational areas, including Western Nuer, Bahr al-Ghazal, Damazin, Kordofan, and Upper Nile. He continued to rise through the military ranks, reaching the rank of Lieutenant General in February 2020, and became the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Birth and Early Life
Shams al-Din al-Kabbashi was born in 1961 in the village of Anqarko, south of the city of Dalang in South Kordofan. He grew up in a family known for its military discipline, influenced by his father, Kabashi Ibrahim Shento, who served as a soldier in the Sudanese Armed Forces in the Camel Corps between 1955 and 1973.

Education and Academic Formation
Al-Kabbashi attended primary school in seven different schools in Dalang, Babnusa, Mandal, Hamadi, and Talodi, due to his father’s military career, which required constant movement within Sudan.

He completed his intermediate education in Hebila and Hibaan schools in South Kordofan, then moved to Talodi Secondary School in Kadugli.

Military Formation
Al-Kabbashi joined the Sudanese Military Academy in February 1981, graduating as a second lieutenant in February 1983, where he was one of the outstanding officers, ranking first in his class.

He served in several units within the armed forces, participating in military missions across various regions, including Western Nuer, Bahr al-Ghazal, Damazin, Kordofan, and Upper Nile.

He continued to progress through the military ranks, achieving the rank of Lieutenant General in February 2020.

Military Experience
Al-Kabbashi started his military career on the battlefield, particularly in southern Sudan, before moving into military training and education, where he effectively contributed to developing the capabilities of the Sudanese army. He combined combat experience with military instruction and political management.

Al-Kabbashi moved from the battlefield to teach officers and soldiers at the Infantry Institute and the Military Command and Staff College, achieving significant success that led to his promotion to the position of Commander of the Non-Commissioned Officers Training Institute.

Later, he held high-ranking positions, including Director of the Senior Military Academy, Director of the Higher Military Academy (Nimeiri Academy), and Director of the Training Department.

In the context of developing the Sudanese army, he took on prominent leadership roles, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Ground Forces Training, then as Head of the Joint Operations Authority, and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also became Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the army.

Among his notable achievements is the revival of military maneuvers that had been halted for long periods, contributing to enhancing the readiness of the armed forces.

Political Experience
Al-Kabbashi’s roles extended beyond the military into sensitive state positions. He worked as Director of the Upper Nile State Governor’s Office and Director of the States Coordination Council.

Following the Sudanese revolution in December 2018, which ousted President Omar al-Bashir, Al-Kabbashi became the spokesperson for the Transitional Military Council. He demonstrated political skills by negotiating with civil parties to form the transitional government and played a central role in managing the peace process. He became one of the influential figures in Sudan’s political and military scene.

After the resignation of General Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf from the leadership of the Transitional Military Council following al-Bashir’s ousting, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan assumed leadership in April 2019, while Al-Kabbashi continued his role as spokesperson.

On August 20, 2019, he became a member of the Sudanese Sovereign Council and joined the government negotiating delegation in the Juba peace talks aimed at ending the conflict with armed movements.

On November 11, 2021, Sudanese Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Al-Burhan announced the formation of a new Transitional Sovereign Council, which included Al-Kabbashi among its members, along with prominent figures such as Yasser Al-Atta, Malik Agar, Al-Hadi Idris, Al-Taher Abu Hajar, Youssef Jad Karim, and Salma Abdel-Jabbar Mubarak Musa.

Positions and Responsibilities

Teacher at the Infantry Institute and the Military Command and Staff College

Commander of the Non-Commissioned Officers Training Institute

Director of the Senior Military Academy

Director of the Higher Military Academy (Nimeiri Academy)

Director of the Training Department

Deputy Chief of Staff for Ground Forces Training

Head of the Joint Operations Authority

Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Director of the Upper Nile State Governor’s Office

Director of the States Coordination Council

Spokesperson for the Transitional Military Council in 2019

Member of the Sudanese Sovereign Council in 2019

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces

Source: Al Jazeera Net