Sudan’s Burhan suspends his foreign minister

May 27, 2023 KHARTOUM –  The Head of the Sovereign Council Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has suspended Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq over criticism of his failure to fulfil his duties following the armed conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The minister’s suspension comes days after the outbreak of war with the RSF on April 15, several sources confirmed to Sudan Tribune.

Reports indicate that Burhan has appointed Mohamed Osman al-Hadi, a former ambassador and director of the office of former foreign minister and Islamist leader Ali Karti, to assume the ministerial responsibilities.

Supporters of the former regime launched a campaign criticizing Sadiq for his poor performance during the war.

Following the campaign, an army commander informed the minister of his activity freeze in a phone call on April 18. On April 25, Al-Burhan appointed Undersecretary Daffallah Elhag Ali as his envoy to convey messages to several regional leaders.

Multiple sources indicate that Al-Sadiq had a conflict with Ali, who coordinated various direct missions with two Sovereign Council members, Ali Jaber and Shams al-Din Kabbashi, responsible for coordinating with ministers and government officials.

Within two days of the war’s outbreak, the suspended foreign minister failed to establish direct contact with the head of the Sovereign Council, raising concerns among the military that the commander of the Rapid Support Forces might influence him.

The carrier diplomat was appointed acting foreign minister after the coup d’état of October 25, 2021.  Also, the military leaders reintegrated all the Islamists fired by the Hamdok government.

(ST)