Islamist leaders urge al-Burhan to continue fighting, pledge support
September 29, 2023 (PORT SUDAN) – Islamist leaders, led by the Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement, Ali Karti, held a lengthy meeting with the Commander in Chief of the Sudanese Army and Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in Port Sudan to discuss options for dealing with the ongoing war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to sources who spoke to Sudan Tribune, the Islamist leaders urged al-Burhan to avoid any negotiated settlement to end the conflict. They pledged to supply the army with thousands of mobilized fighters, given that the organization has thrown all its weight into the war against the RSF.
The Islamist leaders also reassured al-Burhan that Ahmed Haroun, the leader of the banned National Congress Party, who is indicted by the International Criminal Court, is working hard to mobilize young people to join the army in its battles in Khartoum. They urged al-Burhan to continue fighting, saying that patience was required.
Dozens of camps have been opened to train volunteers in several states after al-Burhan’s earlier appeal. Video clips have shown leaders affiliated with the Islamic movement addressing the mobilized, urging them to join the fight.
During the war, some figures of the former regime were released from prisons in Khartoum. Reports have indicated that this group has been active in the eastern Sudan states, inciting the continuation of the war. However, the official authorities in several states in the east have denied that these activities were carried out with their knowledge.
Regarding al-Burhan’s reaction to the Islamist leaders’ calls to continue fighting, the sources said he pledged to fight until victory without speaking about a clear rejection of the negotiation path.
Karti and the Islamist leaders are allegedly behind the coup led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 25, 2021, in addition to opposing the framework agreement signed by civilian forces, the army leadership, and the RSF before the outbreak of war last April.
The Sovereignty Council’s media office denied that Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met with Islamic leaders in Port Sudan. They said the news Sudan Tribune reported was “completely false” and accused it of spreading misinformation about the Council Chairman’s activities and programmes.
On Thursday, the U.S. administration imposed sanctions on Ali Karti and two companies affiliated with the RSF. The U.S. Treasury Department said that Karti had taken steps to undermine Sudan’s efforts to establish civilian and democratic rule and the efforts made to reach a ceasefire to end the conflict between the army and the RSF.
Both the Islamic Movement and the dissolved National Congress Party have challenged the U.S. Treasury Department’s decision to impose sanctions on Karti. The dissolved National Congress Party said in a statement that the American sanctions are a reason for their pride, while the Islamic Movement said these sanctions are like a necklace of honour on a man’s chest.
It is noteworthy that Karti held the position of Sudanese Foreign Minister during the deposed President Omer al-Bashir era. He was also one of the founders of the Popular Defence Forces. After the fall of al-Bashir, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement.
(ST)