Sudan’s “Clearest Speech Yet”: Al-Burhan Sets His Terms and Outlines Peace

Report – Amir Abdelmajed

Amid ongoing talk of a forthcoming settlement and a Sudanese delegation heading to Brussels and Paris led by a special envoy from Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and ahead of the expected remarks from former U.S. President Trump and statements by the U.S. representative to the Quad Committee, Al-Burhan delivered a speech to officers of the Sudanese Armed Forces, putting many unresolved points on the record regarding the Quad’s proposed initiative and the potential government participation in a settlement.

Al-Burhan said:
“We will not accept Hamidti and Hamdok being imposed on us, and we tell those abroad who dream of ruling that you will never govern Sudan again.”
He added:
“We will not accept half measures or solutions that entangle us again.”

Regarding the proposed solutions, he said:
“The proposals are a clear call to divide Sudan. Masad Bolus, your paper is unacceptable. If you want a solution, return to the roadmap we presented. In fact, we fear that Masad Bolus himself may be an obstacle to peace.”

He emphasized:
“No one in Sudan will accept that these rebels remain in power or become part of the Sudanese state, or be included in any future solutions.”
He criticized the mediation, stating:
“If the mediation continues in the same direction, we will consider it biased, particularly the U.S. presidential advisor Masad Bolus.”

Al-Burhan added:
“The mediation presented the worst proposal. We will not accept it because it abolishes the Armed Forces and calls for dismantling the security apparatus while leaving the militias. Any initiative that keeps the militias is rejected. They must withdraw and regroup in areas agreed with the mediator. They must leave Al-Geniena, Al-Fashir, Zalengi, and all occupied areas.”

On the Quad’s proposals, he said:
“The Quad offered us three proposals, the first of which contradicts Sudanese state principles and our ambitions as military leaders. We presented them with our roadmap as our solution.”

Regarding whether the door is closed with the Quad, he stated:
“The opportunity is still open for the Quad if they want a solution, but without the UAE. The Quad cannot be exonerated with the UAE’s presence.”

Al-Burhan also highlighted military gains:
“We absorbed many shocks, regained the initiative, and weakened the rebellion. Their strength has declined from 200,000 fighters to a few, having lost most of their leadership, many of whom were killed.”

He concluded:
“We do not want war, but we want peace that secures our country.”

Regarding the initiative by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he said:
“The initiative is sincere, and we will engage with it in a way that can end the war ideally and reassure Sudanese citizens.”

Despite the surprise and disruption caused by Al-Burhan’s speech, some described it as the clearest speech since the start of the war. Professor Fadl Al-Mawli Al-Naeem, a political science expert, noted that:
“Al-Burhan’s address to military officers is the clearest since the war began. Most of his previous speeches were ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations. This speech is clear and confirms that he has resolved his position based on military and political considerations.”

He added:
“Overall, he did not change his previous stance calling for the collection of militias and the surrender of their weapons, but he added a new condition—possibly for the first time—explicitly excluding the UAE from the Quad, and perhaps Masad Bolus as well.”

Similarly, political researcher Al-Yasa Muhammad Noor, director of Noor Center for Strategic Studies, said Al-Burhan has shifted from a defensive to an offensive stance, revealing some of his negotiation cards with Masad Bolus and the Quad. He sent a direct message to those currently preparing a settlement plan in Washington: any initiative including the UAE will not be accepted, nor will any attempt to bring Hamidti or Hamdok back. Changing the envoy Masad Bolus would be understood.

This message, Al-Yasa Noor added, was likely conveyed to Trump and others shaping the solution. Al-Burhan may have shared these conditions with Masad Bolus or other mediators, possibly through communications with Saudi leadership, which is preparing to play a central role outside the Quad.

He concluded:
“Perhaps a new U.S.-Saudi initiative will be launched, possibly as an extension of the Jeddah platform, but in my view, it will operate independently of the Quad, under Trump’s direct supervision, and will take place in Saudi Arabia. The UAE’s role will likely be limited to indirect negotiations with the militias, while countries like Qatar and possibly Turkey, alongside the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, will participate as supporting and guaranteeing states.”