Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is the de facto leader of Sudan and the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). He is a central figure in the ongoing Sudanese civil war, which began in April 2023, pitting the SAF against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He is newsworthy due to the continuing conflict and its devastating impact on Sudan. Recent events include the SAF claiming to have broken the RSF siege of Kadugli, a key city in South Kordofan, and the condemnation by Sudan of Uganda for hosting RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has also led to Chad closing its border with Sudan after cross-border incursions resulted in the deaths of Chadian soldiers. The Khartoum airport has received its first scheduled flight since the start of the war, signaling a potential shift in control. Al-Burhan's actions and decisions as the head of the SAF are crucial in determining the future of Sudan amidst the ongoing violence and regional rivalries.