Sudan’s al-Burhan apologizes for army violence against medics

May 2, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s military ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan apologized on Saturday for the violence committed by soldiers against medical staff in hospitals, while praising health workers for providing intelligence that helped the army seize parts of the capital.

In a statement issued by the Sovereignty Council, Burhan apologized on behalf of the military for “harshness” practiced by individuals against medical cadres. He noted that health workers have endured significant hardship to maintain services during the country’s three-year conflict.

The apology comes amid a heavy toll on the healthcare sector. On March 24, the Preliminary Committee of the Sudan Doctors’ Union reported that 222 medical personnel have been killed and 378 injured since the war began in April 2023. More than 2,000 health facilities have been destroyed during the fighting.

Burhan claimed that medical staff played a strategic role in the army’s capture of southern Khartoum by providing information on the movements and equipment of the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“The information they provided was behind the victories achieved by the Armed Forces in southern Khartoum areas,” Burhan said. The army reclaimed control of Khartoum state in May 2025 following intense battles.

While Burhan denied that the military targets health institutions, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 213 attacks on healthcare facilities during the war, resulting in over 2,000 deaths.

Burhan accused the RSF of systematic attacks against hospitals but maintained that the state is obligated to provide health services to all citizens, including those living in areas controlled by the paramilitary group.

He specifically commended staff at the Turkish Hospital in Nyala, South Darfur, for continuing to operate despite harassment from the RSF. Nyala currently serves as the administrative headquarters for a parallel government established by an RSF-backed alliance.