World · Africa · 12 hrs ago
Sudan war puts children at risk as Al Burhan faces claims of Islamist influence
Sudan’s civil war has displaced more than 14 million people and left nearly 20 million facing hunger.
Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan leads the Sudanese Armed Forces, but political figures and analysts say allied Islamist groups influence his decisions.
These are accusations, and Al Burhan’s meeting with a US adviser in Egypt on October 5 also drew claims that he had agreed to concessions.
Washington withheld his visa ahead of the UN General Assembly, reportedly because Sudan’s army-led administration resisted a US proposal for a 90-day ceasefire followed by political talks.
Sudan said it had not rejected the proposal and had instead submitted comments.
Activists say the war is keeping children out of school, while some children are at risk of recruitment by the warring parties.
The conflict is also disrupting early education, with many children losing years they would otherwise spend in kindergarten or primary school.
Sudan’s civil war is putting children at risk of losing education and being recruited by armed groups, an activist warned.
Political figures and analysts accused army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan of being influenced by Islamist groups and of political manoeuvring.
The war has displaced more than 14 million people and left nearly 20 million facing hunger, according to The National.
The United States withheld a visa for Al Burhan ahead of the UN General Assembly, reportedly over resistance to a proposed 90-day humanitarian ceasefire.
Sudan said it had not rejected the ceasefire proposal but had submitted comments on it.
- Who
- Sudanese army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, Sudanese children, and the groups fighting in the war.
- What
- Analysts accused Al Burhan of Islamist influence and political manoeuvring. An activist warned that children were losing schooling and faced recruitment risks.
- When
- The war began in April 2023. Al Burhan met US adviser Massad Boulos on October 5; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Sudan; Al Burhan met Boulos in Egypt.
- Why
- The war has disrupted education and created risks of child recruitment. Analysts attributed constraints on Al Burhan’s decisions to the influence of allied Islamist groups.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Al Burhan is a tool in the hands of the Islamic Movement
War broke out after a power struggle between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.
Washington withheld a visa for Al Burhan, reportedly linked to resistance to a proposed 90-day humanitarian ceasefire.
Al Burhan met US adviser Massad Boulos in Egypt on the sidelines of an African Union co-ordination meeting.
The National published the report on allegations of Islamist influence and risks to children.
- Displaced people
- More than 14 million
- People facing hunger
- Nearly 20 million
- Proposed ceasefire
- 90 days
- Meeting date
- October 5
- Meeting place
- Egypt
Sources
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