Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has appointed veteran diplomat Dafallah Al-Haj Ali as the country’s acting prime minister, marking a pivotal shift in the war-torn nation’s transitional governance. The move comes just weeks after the Sudanese army regained control over large parts of Khartoum following a prolonged battle with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The announcement, made in a statement by Sudan’s transitional sovereign council, also included the appointment of Omar Seddik a current ambassador as the new foreign minister. These developments signal Burhan’s intention to consolidate authority under military rule, sidelining previous arrangements that involved civilian and RSF participation in governance.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when tensions between the army and RSF erupted into full-scale war. Originally allies in toppling long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir and later a civilian-led administration, the two factions clashed over disagreements about integrating their forces. The capital and much of the country has since been split between zones controlled by the military and the RSF, with the latter still entrenched in western Sudan.
In February 2025, Burhan hinted at sweeping changes to the interim constitution, with military sources confirming plans to eliminate clauses that endorsed shared governance with civilian groups or the RSF. The revised framework places sole authority in the hands of the military, which now has the power to appoint a technocratic prime minister and a cabinet without civilian oversight.
The appointment of Dafallah Al-Haj Ali, known for his diplomatic acumen, is seen as an effort to project an image of governance and stability amid ongoing internal and international criticism. However, analysts warn that the move may further alienate pro-democracy forces and prolong the crisis, as no clear path to civilian rule has been laid out.
With humanitarian needs mounting and millions displaced by the war, the international community continues to call for an inclusive political process that brings lasting peace to Sudan. Yet, the latest appointments suggest the army is tightening its grip, leaving the country’s democratic future uncertain.
