Sudan’s military ruler warned the opposition on Tuesday not to meddle in the affairs of the army, counselling them to focus instead on forming a government to run the country until elections are held in 2024.
Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan also warned unnamed parties against trying to drive a wedge between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, a paramilitary outfit whose roots are in the western Darfur region, where it fought ethnic African rebels in the 2000s on behalf of ousted dictator Omar Al Bashir.
“We will never raise our arms against each other,” said Gen Al Burhan, who led a military coup last October that toppled a civilian-led government, derailing Sudan’s democratic transition and plunging the country into a political and economic crisis.
He was apparently responding to growing speculation in Khartoum that he and Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF commander, were at odds.
“We would like to assure those who want to dismantle the military institution that no one can do that,” said Gen Al Burhan.
“This institution will remain united, strong and able, through its unity, to pull Sudan through.”
The Sudanese leader was speaking at a function marking the 1898 Battle of Omdurman, when an Egyptian-British expedition dealt the final defeat to the forces of Imam Abdullah El Ta’aishy, the last leader of a short-lived independent Sudan known as the Mahdist state.
“We will leave politics but we will not allow others to do to us [the military] as they please. Never!” he declared.
The pro-democracy movement in Sudan has staged a wave of street protests since the October coup in a bid to force the military out and hold the generals accountable for the killing by security forces of 117 protesters. At least 6,000 others have been injured in the protests.
Gen Al Burhan maintains the protesters are not peaceful and insists the killings are being investigated, but he has yet to publicly share information on the progress of these probes or when their findings would be publicised.
The pro-democracy movement and its western backers, for their part, have repeatedly denounced the use of lethal force by the security forces, claiming that live ammunition could have only been used with the prior approval of the army generals.
The protest movement wants the army reformed, cleansed of Al Bashir supporters and placed under civilian oversight. They also want the RSF, which is deployed throughout Khartoum, to be fully assimilated in the armed forces — something that Gen Dagalo is known not to support.
“Form your government and rule the country as you see fit away from the military,” Gen Al Burhan said.
“We will protect you and Sudan until elections are held.”
Large segments of the pro-democracy movement have consistently rejected any dealings with the military. It wants the ruling generals to step down first before another transitional government is formed to run the country until the elections.
The military, for its part, wants the next government to be led by political forces loyal to it. These are mostly former rebel leaders with whom the military reached a peace deal in 2020, groups loyal to the Al Bashir regime or tribal leaders in fringe areas such as western Sudan.
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
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