Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has appointed diplomat Dafallah Al-Haj Ali as acting prime minister, according to a statement from the Transitional Sovereignty Council.
This move comes weeks after the Sudanese army recaptured the capital city, Khartoum, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
The appointment of Ali is seen as part of a broader effort to restructure the government in the wake of the ongoing conflict between the army and RSF.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, was sparked by disputes over the integration of the two forces after they worked together to oust civilians with whom they had shared power following the uprising that toppled autocrat Omar al-Bashir.
In addition to Ali’s appointment, Burhan also approved the appointment of Omar Seddik, a current ambassador, as foreign minister.
These appointments are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Sudan’s future direction amid the ongoing conflict.
The RSF is still deeply embedded in western Sudan, and the conflict has split the country into rival zones of control.
The army’s recapture of Khartoum has given it a strategic advantage, but the situation remains volatile.
In February, Burhan announced plans to make changes to the country’s interim constitution, which military sources said would remove all references to partnership with civilians or the RSF, placing authority solely with the army.
The army would then appoint a technocratic prime minister who would appoint a cabinet.
The latest developments are likely to have significant implications for Sudan’s future, and the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
