Pursuing a military solution to Sudan's civil war, rather than negotiating a peace settlement, risks causing the country to break up, analysts warned.
Sudanese army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan has said he aims to end the conflict, which has raged for 19 months, by defeating the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on the battlefield. The army has been on the offensive in recent months and has retaken parts of the capital Khartoum, as well as some areas south of the capital.
On Saturday, the army claimed it regained control of the Sennar state capital of Sinja, south of Khartoum. Seizing the city would allow soldiers to control a key road linking eastern and central Sudan.
But the army has been unable to retake all of the capital, with many areas still under the control of the RSF, led by Gen Mohamed Dagalo. Gen Al Burhan's forces have also been unable to push the paramilitary group out of Darfur in the west, Kordofan in the south-west and Al Jazira, south of the capital.
Sudanese analyst Osman Al Mirghany said the decision to pursue battlfield successes rather than committing to negotiations could come at a high cost. A negotiated peace settlement would spare the country from grave risks, while continuing to fight could lead to the break-up of a nation that has often teetered on the brink of collapse in nearly seven decades of independence, he added.
“The army itself is not against negotiating a settlement – it is carrying out its battlefield tasks while leaving the decision to negotiate or not to Al Burhan and his allies,” he said. “A military solution will be very costly and, given the formidable dangers that surround Sudan and the nation's own fragility, it can fragment the country. It's not the ideal choice.”
Sudan's civil war has left about 26 million people – more than half the population – facing acute hunger in what the UN says is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. It has also displaced 11 million people and devastated the vast nation's infrastructure.
Gen Al Burhan laid out his strategy for the conflict at a recent economic forum in Port Sudan. “We will fight this war until the very end, the obliteration of this militia and dispatching it to the trash bin of history,” he said. “The final solution of this war is the destruction of the rebels … we must end once and for all this nightmare.”
Gen Al Burhan's comments come at a critical moment in the war and could shape the future of the nation. It could also have a strong impact on the Horn of Africa region, which has already been gripped by instability owing to deadly unrest, extremism and climate change.
“In my view, prolonging the war will lead to more chaos and destruction and paralyses economic activity,” said Sudanese military analyst Jaafar Hassan, a retired army brigadier. "The army simply cannot continue like this, unable to defeat the RSF militia or sit and negotiate.
"Al Burhan is failing both politically and militarily. He is unable to decide the war militarily and has no appealing narrative that would secure popular support.”
Gen Al Burhan, a veteran of the civil war in Darfur in the 2000s, addressed the forum a day after he held talks with the US special envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, in Port Sudan, where the military-backed government is now based. They discussed the prospects of a ceasefire and efforts to carve out corridors to deliver aid. Approval was granted for relief flights to reach hunger-stricken South Kordofan and permission was extended for the use of the Adre border crossing from Chad into Darfur, but there was no progress on a ceasefire.
“We do not yet see enough political appetite from the parties to find a real resolution to this conflict,” Mr Perriello said on Thursday in Rome.
Several attempts to broker a truce have fallen apart, most recently in August, when the military refused to attend US-mediated talks in Geneva. Since then, fighting has escalated.
Gen Al Burhan's comments also came a day after Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Sudan and the protection of civilians.
Gen Al Burhan thanked Moscow after the move and said Sudan rejected the resolution tabled by the UK and Sierra Leone because it failed to condemn the RSF and amounted to interference in Sudan's domestic affairs. “No ceasefire and no participation in negotiations … we are certain victory is imminent,” he said.
But some Sudanese claim he is looking to Moscow's help in the conflict. “Russia will not ask for a small price in return for its veto. That price will be paid by the nation's sons just as we have been paying the price for the army's recklessness generation after generation,” said Hesham Said, 38, who fled Al Jazira to seek refuge in Kassala, in eastern Sudan.
Sudanese analyst Taher Moatasam said Mr Perriello "came to Sudan in the 25th hour" for talks that failed to establish a path to a ceasefire. “His diplomatic mission was derailed in Port Sudan and now we only have the army's notion of deciding the war militarily, which is unattainable and will result in civilians paying a high price," Mr Moatasam added.
Both side have been accused by the UN of committing war crimes or crimes against humanity, as well as obstructing the flow of aid.
Violence in Al Jazira has caused the deaths of dozens of villagers, while up to 150,000 people have been forcibly evicted after a senior member of the RSF reportedly defected to the army. Videos shared online showed men, women and children walking out of villages in the area carrying their belongings.
“We lived all our life in quiet and peaceful villages, but it's the destiny that God chose for us that we left everything and fled,” said Osman Hagou, a sugar factory worker. “All the stores and homes in our village were looted and electricity and water wells were disabled.”
Al Shafie Ahmed contributed to this report from Kampala, Uganda.
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
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.
Top%2010%20most%20competitive%20economies
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The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
