Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (born 1960) is a Sudanese military officer who has been the de facto head of state of Sudan since 2019. Currently serving as the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, he is the commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). As of Christmas Day 2025, he is leading a multi-front diplomatic and military effort to secure the country’s capital and end the devastating civil war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman al-Burhan |
| Born | July 11, 1960, Gandatu, Nile State, Sudan |
| Current Office | Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council (Since 2019) |
| Military Role | Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) |
| Current Status | Leading the SAF from Khartoum and Port Sudan; on a working visit to Türkiye as of Dec 25, 2025. |
| Key Rival | Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo (Leader of the RSF) |
Military and Political Ascent
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Darfur Veteran: Before rising to national power, al-Burhan served as a regional commander in Darfur during the early 2000s. Unlike many other leaders from that era, he has not been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
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The 2019 Revolution: Following the ousting of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, al-Burhan became the head of the Transitional Military Council (TMC). He eventually transitioned to leading the Sovereignty Council, a power-sharing body with civilians.
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The 2021 Coup: In October 2021, al-Burhan led a military coup that dissolved the civilian government and derailed Sudan’s transition to democracy, leading to widespread international condemnation and a freeze in foreign aid.
The Civil War and “Khartoum’s Return” (2025)
Since April 2023, al-Burhan has been locked in a brutal civil war with his former deputy, Hemedti.
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Recapture of Khartoum: After being forced to operate largely from Port Sudan for much of 2023 and 2024, SAF forces regained significant momentum in early 2025. By March 2025, the army retook key areas of the capital, including the Presidential Palace.
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Administrative Restoration: On December 23, 2025, al-Burhan conducted a surprise inspection of government ministries in Khartoum State. He toured the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Culture, signaling a symbolic and practical return of the state apparatus to the capital.
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New Peace Initiatives: In late December 2025, al-Burhan has been reviewing a “three-point plan” proposed by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The plan seeks an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the establishment of safe havens, and an eventual transition to civilian rule.
Diplomatic Mission (Christmas Day 2025)
As of today, December 25, 2025, General al-Burhan is in Ankara, Türkiye.
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Meeting with Erdoğan: He is on an official working visit at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The talks are focused on bilateral defense cooperation, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur (following the fall of El Fasher in October 2025), and Turkey’s role in facilitating regional stability.
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Regional Support: Throughout December, al-Burhan has also met with leaders in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Egypt’s President Sisi recently reaffirmed “red lines” regarding Sudan’s territorial integrity, expressing total rejection of any secessionist parallel entities.
Professional Profile
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Survivalist Strategy: Al-Burhan has proven remarkably resilient, surviving an assassination attempt in July 2024 and successfully managing the complex shift of his government from Port Sudan back toward a war-torn Khartoum.
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International Standing: While the U.S. imposed targeted sanctions on him in early 2025 for “refusal to participate in peace talks,” his recent diplomatic tour suggests a renewed effort to engage with the international community to find a “Sudanese-led” solution to the conflict.