Al-Burhan Discretely Went to Egypt on Eve of Coup: WSJ
A Wall Street Journal report reveals information about the former chairman of the Transitional Military Council in Sudan visiting Egypt a day ahead of the coup.
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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, right, meeting Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chief of Sudan's ruling Military Council, on May 26, 2019 | AFP
Former chief of the Sudanese Military Transitional Council Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan boarded a jet to Egypt a day ahead of the coup, the Wall Street Journal reported.
His visit to Egypt came after a meeting with US Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffery Feltman, during which al-Burhan talked to Feltman and his accompanying delegation about ways of addressing the Sudanese concerns "through the constitutional means."
Just before the coup, Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate, Abbas Kamel, traveled to Khartoum to meet General al-Burhan, but shunned Hamdok, the Wall Street Journal said.
According to the newspaper, al-Burhan went to Egypt "for secret talks to ensure his plot would have regional support."
Three sources told WSJ Kamel had told al-Burhan that Hamdok "has to go" over his stance on Ethiopia regarding the Rennaissance Dam.
Upon al-Burhan's return to Khartoum, he arrested several government officials, dissolved the Transitional Council, and sacked the Prime Minister after President al-Sisi "reassured his fellow general" during the secret visit.
The US Envoy for the Horn of Africa accused the Burhan-led movement of 'hijacking' and 'betraying' the aspirations of the Sudanese people and 'turning over' the entire negotiating table "in favor of military takeover."
Nearly a week after the takeover, sources close to the dismissed Sudanese Prime Minister reported that the Army is still negotiating a deal with him to reinstate him as prime minister.
