Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visits the Flamingo Marine Base in Port Sudan on August 28, 2023. The war between Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has raged since April 15, spreading from Khartoum and Darfur to Kordofan and Jazira state, killing thousands and forcing millions to flee their homes. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Sudan Army Chief In Egypt In First Trip Since War Began

On Aug 29, 2023

Officials in Sudan say armed forces chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has left the country on a flight to Egypt to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

It is the first time Sudan’s military ruler has left the country since the conflict broke out there in April, between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Egyptian president has backed Gen Burhan during the war which the UN says has now forced more than four million Sudanese to flee their homes.

Up until just a few days ago the Sudanese military leader was holed up inside the army headquarters in Khartoum.

The fact that Gen Burhan has now been able to leave the country for talks with his ally in Egypt is for some a sign that the army is under less pressure.

The rival RSF may have been weakened in the capital.

But in Darfur the RSF is still strong and has been behind ethnically motivated attacks.

On Monday, Gen Burhan dismissed the idea of peace talks and spoke about defeating the rebellion.

Many Sudanese, who are seeing their country being steadily destroyed, will be hoping that behind the scenes regional leaders are pushing for another attempt at negotiating an end to the war.

BBC/Jide Johnson.