The already daunting challenge of achieving peace in Sudan faces additional complications stemming from Army Chief Abdel Fattah Al Burhan’s intricate relationship with Islamist factions, whose influence has expanded significantly since the conflict’s inception. These groups have become instrumental to Burhan’s military strategy and political survival, providing both combat personnel and strategic guidance in his war against former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Analysts indicate that Islamist elements within Burhan’s power structure actively oppose ceasefire initiatives, fearing that any peace agreement and subsequent return to civilian governance would marginalize their recently regained political influence. Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair notes, ‘The Islamists are very upset at the prospect of a ceasefire. They want the war to continue as much as possible.’
Despite welcoming international mediation efforts, including recent engagement with US President Donald Trump facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Burhan has consistently rejected proposed ceasefire arrangements. His delicate balancing act requires maintaining Islamist support while navigating increasing pressure from international mediators who view these alliances as destabilizing.
The term ‘Islamists’ in Sudan’s context refers to a network of parties, leaders, and patronage systems developed under former autocrat Omar Al Bashir. Since the conflict began, Bashir-era associates have been released from detention, mobilized troops, and regained political prominence—a significant reversal from their diminished status following Bashir’s 2019 ousting.
Daglo has strategically framed the conflict as a struggle against ‘radical Islamists’ and remnants of Bashir’s regime. Meanwhile, Burhan publicly denies Muslim Brotherhood presence in his government, despite evidence of complex interdependencies. A secret August meeting with US envoy Massad Boulos resulted in tentative agreements to gradually distance from Islamist allies, though implementation has been limited to minor personnel changes.
International actors including the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt have jointly declared that Sudan’s future cannot be determined by groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which the Trump administration has moved to designate as terrorist organizations. Recent US sanctions targeting Burhan’s finance minister and the Al Baraa ibn Malik Brigade reflect efforts to limit Islamist influence and counter Iran’s regional activities, which include alleged drone shipments to Sudanese forces.
Burhan currently faces mounting pressures: maintaining unity within his factionalized camp, addressing military setbacks including losses in Darfur, and responding to intensified diplomatic pressure from regional powers concerned about national security implications. With exhausted troops and diminishing territorial control, the army chief appears trapped between Islamist dependencies and international demands, lacking viable alternatives for political survival without his controversial allies.