Burhan Pledges Commitment to Democratic Transition on Anniversary of 2019 Uprising

Sudan, April 6, 2026 - Sudan’s army chief and head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to a democratic transition and eventual transfer of power to civilians.

In a recorded speech marking the seventh anniversary of the 2019 mass sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, Burhan said the armed forces remain determined to complete the political transition process initiated after the ousting of former president Omar al-Bashir.

The address, filmed at multiple military locations, highlighted the army’s historical role in Sudan’s uprisings, referencing the 1985 revolution that removed Jaafar Nimeiri and the 2019 protests that ended Bashir’s three-decade rule.

Burhan described the military as a partner of the Sudanese people in what he termed the “battle of dignity,” referring to the ongoing conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as the broader political transition process.

He reiterated that the armed forces are committed to enabling a democratic process in which Sudanese citizens can freely choose their system of governance.

“This is an occasion to renew our pledge to the Sudanese people that we are their sons and partners,” he said, adding that the military would continue working toward completing the transition begun in 2019.

Burhan stated that the Sudanese population has historically stood with the military during pivotal moments, including the 1985 and 2019 uprisings, and has again aligned with it during the ongoing war that began in April 2023.

He further said Sudanese citizens would ultimately prevail and reject humiliation or tyranny.