A career soldier who served Bashir loyally for decades, Burhan rose through the ranks in wars in South Sudan and Sudan’s Darfur region before participating in a coup against the Islamist leader following an uprising against his 30-year rule. That arrangement ended abruptly on Oct. 25 when Burhan dissolved government and arrested top civilians, throwing the transition into turmoil. Burhan becomes the latest in a long line of military coup leaders who have ruled Sudan for most of its history since independence from Britain in 1956. During a war against rebels in Darfur, Burhan held the rank of brigadier general and worked in a district that saw fierce fighting. The transitional authorities dissolved by Burhan’s coup had pledged to cooperate with the ICC, which has issued arrest warrants for Bashir.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 12, 2021 13:11 UTC