Sudan army chief retires key commander in first major reshuffle since war began

August 17, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, retired several senior officers on Sunday, including a prominent wartime commander, in the first major leadership reshuffle since the conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in 2023.

Among those retired was the commander of the Armoured Corps, Major General Nasr al-Din Abdel Fattah, who was first promoted to Lieutenant General, military sources said.

Nasr al-Din was a key figure in the army’s war effort, having led the defence of the strategic Armoured Corps base in southern Khartoum, which withstood a lengthy siege and repeated attacks by the RSF.

Other retired senior officers included the former commander of the Presidential Guard, Major General Nader al-Mansouri, and Major General Rabie Abdallah, who oversees the Blue Nile military region, according to the sources.

In a statement, army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah described the promotions and retirements as a routine measure in accordance with military law.

While Burhan has issued some battlefield promotions, Sunday’s decisions marked the first wave of retirements he has ordered since the war erupted in April 2023.