Al-Burhan returns to Khartoum after attending Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

September 19, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Chairman of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan returned to the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Monday, hours after attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in London.

Accompanied by the acting Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq, al-Burhan joined a myriad of heads of state and government to attend the state funeral at Westminster Abbey, in London on Monday.

“Sudan’s participation in the occasion came in recognition of Sudan’s strong ties with the United Kingdom, as the two countries have a deep-rooted historical relationship,” reads a statement by the Sovereign Council after his return.

Al-Burhan’s attendance alongside world leaders has raised questions in Khartoum as many wished to see him among the list of few leaders who were not invited to the event.

However, his very short visit to London indicated that had no opportunity to meet foreign leaders.

On his way to the airport, some Sudanese activists shouted slogans against the coup and called for his trial by The Hague-based court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sudanese in Khartoum watched the TVs joining millions across the world to pay a final farewell to the UK’s longest-reigning monarch.

Sudanese elders recalled her visit to Sudan in February 1965. They spoke about the warm reception she got from the people and government and compared the good old days with the harsh living conditions under the al-Burhan rule.

(ST)