KHARTOUM — Local media reported that Sudanese security forces foiled a coup attempt in its final stages, allegedly led by retired officers and a faction of the dissolved National Congress Party, taking advantage of public tensions following the army’s recent decisions on promotions and retirements.
High-Profile Arrests
According to the reports, authorities arrested Ahmed Haroun, the acting head of the National Congress Party, over accusations of involvement in the plot. Security forces also detained Maj. Gen. Abdel Bagi Bakrawi early Tuesday, just two days after a series of reshuffles that affected several senior officers, among them Maj. Gen. Nasr al-Din Abdel Fattah, the former commander of the Armored Corps who had previously been accused of participating in a failed coup in 2021.
Islamist Reaction
The arrests prompted heated debate within political and Islamist circles. Journalist Mohammed al-Mabrouk said what he described as “well-orchestrated media campaigns” run from abroad—particularly from Abu Dhabi—had provoked Islamists. He added that army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s recent push for Switzerland-hosted talks to end the war, with Qatari backing, deepened fears among Islamists of being sidelined.
Army Decisions
The army’s decision to retire several officers linked to the Islamist current, including Abdel Fattah, stirred anger within Islamist ranks. Abdel Fattah enjoys broad respect among Islamist supporters, partly for his role in defending Khartoum during last year’s Rapid Support Forces siege.
Islamist leader Sana Hamad al-Awad described his removal as “a major loss for the military establishment,” praising his resilience and combat record.
Accusations of Political Targeting
Several Islamist activists accused the army leadership of trying to purge the military of ideologically aligned officers, calling the move a concession to external agendas designed to eliminate Islamist influence in Sudan’s political and military arena.
Shifting Power Balance
The developments come at a critical political and security moment for Sudan. Analysts say the army’s decisions could mark a turning point in its relationship with Islamist factions, as the military seeks to restructure its ranks away from groups that had formed part of its backbone during past decades.
