Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has ordered a major military reorganization to tighten control of the armed forces in the face of ongoing clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
A decree issued yesterday placed all allied groups, including former Darfur rebels, tribal militias, Islamist brigades, and civilian volunteers under the formal command of the army.
Burhan also appointed a new inspector general and air force chief while retaining General Mohamed Othman al-Hussein as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The restructuring follows the retirement of senior officers and is seen as a move to consolidate Burhan’s authority in central and eastern Sudan.
Political leaders have described the shake-up as a step to prevent the rise of rival armed factions, while observers warn the RSF’s establishment of a parallel government risks deepening the country’s fragmentation.
Burhan also met recently with a U.S. Africa advisor in Switzerland to discuss Sudan’s transition toward civilian rule.