Agencies, March 25 (Darfur24)
A major arms deal to supply the Sudanese army with advanced military equipment has stalled amid concerns over army chief Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s ties to Islamist groups, Africa Intelligence magazine reported.
The proposed $1.5 billion agreement, reportedly backed by Saudi Arabia, included the supply of Pakistani military hardware such as JF-17 fighter jets, drones, and air defense systems. The deal had been under negotiation for several months before being put on hold.
According to diplomatic sources cited by the magazine, the suspension reflects growing mistrust between Riyadh and Sudan’s military leadership in Port Sudan, as well as broader regional tensions, including those linked to Iran.
Saudi officials are reportedly growing increasingly dissatisfied with the Sudanese army, believing it has failed to meet key political and military expectations. This has prompted a reassessment of Riyadh’s support and raised doubts within Sudan’s military establishment about the reliability of its regional allies.
The report indicates that Saudi Arabia is now leaning toward supporting the formation of a civilian-led government in Sudan, amid skepticism about the army’s viability as a long-term partner.
It also highlighted that the continued influence of Islamist factions aligned with the army remains a major source of friction with regional allies, including Egypt.
In what analysts describe as a response to mounting pressure, Burhan ordered the arrest of Naji Abdullah, leader of the so-called “Popular Islamic Resistance,” on March 15, following statements seen as supportive of Iran. The move comes despite reports of previous Iranian backing for the Sudanese army.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to push for the removal of Islamist elements from within Sudan’s military institutions, as part of broader international efforts to reshape the political landscape.
These efforts are taking place alongside consultations led by the Quartet Committee ahead of a conference scheduled to be held in Berlin on April 15.
The report also noted the delicate nature of Sudan’s ties with Turkey, a key supplier of military drones, as Burhan seeks to maintain balanced relations with Ankara amid increasing regional complexities.