Al-Burhan’s Speech: Timing and Messages

As I see

By Adil El-Baz

1. Why this timing?
Why did General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan deliver his speech at this particular moment, and why in front of the army leadership? What messages was he sending to the military, the world, the people, the opposition, and the so-called Quartet? Al-Burhan’s speech was not just words; it was a compass-setting in a time of confusion and a clear assertion that the war would not end with a paper dictated from abroad, but by decisions made solely by Sudanese. The speech cannot be separated from the regional and international anxiety following the fall of El-Fashir and the frantic race to write the political narrative before the battlefield imposed its final word. Sudan stood at a crossroads, and every statement from the head of state was closely scrutinized.

2. Message to the army
The army, which has borne the brunt of the conflict for nearly two years, needed a clear, unambiguous message that the political leadership is still in sync with the pulse of the street and the frontlines, and that it understands the gravity of the nation’s critical moment. The speech was not a mere situational statement; it was the announcement of a new phase—one in which the army seeks to consolidate the domestic front and establish a political equation based on national sovereignty, not the whims of the Quartet.

3. Context and timing
Al-Burhan’s speech came after multiple internal and external moves following the fall of El-Fashir. At this time, the Quartet sought to capitalize on the situation, demanding an urgent truce under a false humanitarian guise—despite ignoring El-Fashir for 500 days during which hundreds of residents died of hunger. The militias eventually accepted the truce after massacring thousands. Rumors had spread that Al-Burhan had accepted the truce under duress, sparking widespread public outrage and turning the phrase “truce of so-and-so” into a trending topic.

The timing also followed Al-Burhan’s communication with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, subsequent discussions with former President Trump, and Trump’s recent remarks regarding Sudan and his declared intervention in the file. Additionally, the speech came after Al-Burhan’s inspection tours of survivor camps in Dubba, Sheikh Al-Yaqout, and Qutina, where he listened directly to the people’s demands. This direct engagement allowed both the domestic and international audience to gauge public sentiment.

4. Importance of addressing the army
In an environment rife with rumors affecting both the general public and army ranks, it was crucial to address the troops directly. Soldiers were asking: “If there is going to be a ceasefire, why fight? Why die for a political deal?” The speech provided unambiguous answers, sending clear messages to the army, the people, opposition groups, and external actors, including the Quartet.

Messages contained in the speech:

• To the army: “We will fight until the militias are defeated or surrender. No truce without its conditions. We will not compromise Sudan’s unity.”

• To the opposition: “You will not govern Sudan from abroad or through conspiracies. Only the people determine your future.”

• To the Quartet: “You are the problem, not absolved from blame, still tainted by Abu Dhabi’s influence. Mr. Paul, you are merely a ‘mailman’ delivering UAE requests. Your last paper means nothing to us. Your time is over, and woe to those who follow Volker and Paul.”

5. Conclusion
The timing, location, tone, and embedded messages all indicate that Sudan is entering a new phase. The key question remains: will regional and international actors understand these messages clearly, or will they continue trying to reshape Sudan according to their own desires?

What is certain is that the people have become a central player, the balance of power has shifted, and any political initiative, truce, or process will fail unless it is based on the genuine will of the Sudanese and their awareness of what happened in El-Fashir and its aftermath. This awareness shapes the contours of the next phase.