Will the Islamists-Army alliance split following Abdul-Hayy’s attack on Al-Burhan?

In an unprecedented escalation, preacher Abdul-Hayy Youssef launched a scathing attack on the Sudanese Army Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah Burhan, stressing that the Islamists have lost confidence in him, and claiming that credit for achieving victories on the battlefields belongs to them, not the Army.

Abdul-Hayy held Al-Burhan responsible for enabling the Rapid Support Forces to control strategic locations in the capital, and amending the Forces’ law in their favor, which prompted their unattended expansion.

In contrast, these statements invoked a strong response from Al-Burhan, as he rejected any notion of questioning the Army’s motives, stressing that the Army is fighting for the people and not for the benefit of any party.

Al-Burhan stated: “To those who voice doubts regarding this matter, we say, you’re welcome to come and see for yourself,” directing his criticism at what he described as “Takfiri voices” that attack the military institution.

Repercussions of the Statements

The statements made by both parties came amidst a wave of escalating tensions, which in turn raises questions regarding the course of internal conflict and its repercussions in terms of the Sudanese scene.

The Deputy Director General of Arrasid Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Dr. Al-Fateh Othman, believes that Abdul-Hayy’s statements are directed at a specific group of people, some of whom leaked it. Therefore, regardless of whether he meant what he said or it was simply a friendly chat that doesn’t carry any official value; it is rather embarrassing for everyone due to the significant influence of preacher Mohamed Abdul-Hayy among the Sudanese citizens.

Othman told (Al-Rakoba) that Sheikh Mohamed Abdul-Hayy is one of the leaders of the Salafi Movement and a supporter of the Sudanese Army, in addition, his sons are fighting alongside the Army. He pointed out that his statements have exacerbated the sense of estrangement between the Army and the Salafis in particular, and between the Army and the Islamists in general.

He added that the statement issued by the Islamic Movement announced their disavowal of Dr. Abdul-Hayy in an attempt to clearly distance themselves from the man.

Al-Fateh Othman explained that Dr. Abdul-Hayy’s statements constitute a harsh lesson for him and all Sudanese politicians, as in the age of social media, there’s no sense of privacy to be had, and Dr. Abdul-Hayy’s apologies won’t be of any use in mending what was torn apart by such an irresponsible line of attack.

The Islamists’ War

As for the leader in the National Umma Party, Misbah Ahmed, he believes that the Mufti of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Abdul-Hayy Youssef’s statements, in regards to the Army in general and Al-Burhan in particular, confirms that the Islamic Movement views the Army as nothing more than a military wing that must obey its orders. He pointed out that the ongoing war is theirs, through which they wanted to restore the brilliance and luster to the Islamic Movement and bring it back to the forefront once again.

Ahmed pointed out, in his interview with (Al-Rakoba), that since (2019), Al-Burhan has been implementing every directive uttered by the Islamists, starting with dispersing the sit-in, the October 25th Coup that overthrew the revolutionary government, and then re-empowering the Islamists, awarding them positions of power in the State. He added that Al-Burhan continued to follow along the same path, implementing the war plan through the coup against the Framework Agreement, then backing down from peaceful solutions, by washing his hands of all negotiation platforms and what was agreed upon, whether in Jeddah or Manama, and continuing the war.

Misbah Ahmed explained that Al-Burhan, despite all the above, didn’t fall short, nonetheless, they aren’t satisfied with him, because they don’t trust him and are fearful of his return to the negotiating table. Therefore, they want an ideological leadership from the Islamists within the Army that doesn’t maneuver or consider any negotiated solution that doesn’t achieve their aspirations.

He stressed that they realize the Army doesn’t consist -solely- of Islamists, hence, they controlled the course of the war and its fate from the beginning to ensure there will be no negotiations except in a way that achieves their unchallenged return to control the country and the Army once again.

Misbah Ahmed added that Abdul-Hayy Youssef’s statements expresses the opinion of the Islamists without exception, and the following statement of disavowal is nothing more than an attempt to reduce the media hype surrounding the statements. He stressed that the Islamists aren’t too keen on announcing their position now because the war isn’t over and they still have numerous upcoming battles to wade through.

The leader in the National Umma Party went on to mention that Abdul-Hayy’s statements confirmed the identity of party responsible for igniting the war, as well as who benefits from it, who seeks to exploit it to complete the project of controlling the country and its resources, in addition to achieving a new authoritarian rule, according to him.