Al-Burhan removes another member from Sudan’s Sovereign Council

November 20, 2023 (PORT SUDAN) – Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, issued a decree on Monday removing al-Tahir Abu Bakr Hajer from the Council.

Hajer, the leader of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF), joined the Sovereign Council in February 2021 alongside two other members under the Juba Peace Agreement: Malik Agar, who became Deputy Chairman of the Council, and al-Hadi Idris, who was also dismissed on November 3.

A statement from the Sovereign Council’s media office stated, “al-Burhan has issued a constitutional decree relieving Sovereign Council member al-Tahir Abu Bakr Hajer of his position.” It called on the parties to the Juba Peace Agreement to nominate a replacement.

In September, a leaked letter from the Sovereign Council’s Secretary-General to ministers revealed Al-Burhan’s decision to assign supervisory responsibilities for the Council of Ministers and government bodies to the Sovereign Council’s military commanders and Agar, while excluding Idris and Hajer from any sovereign or executive duties.

Idris objected to his dismissal, stating that al-Burhan lacked the authority to remove him under the peace agreement.

This decision reduces the number of members of the collegial presidency in Sudan from 14 members to 5 members

Both Idris and Hajar declined to join al-Burhan in Port Sudan after his departure from Khartoum in late August and pledged to collaborate with civilian forces opposing the war.