A True Leader Leads from the Front

Ambassador Jaafar Soumi Toto
Since the outbreak of this wretched war in April 2023, we, the Sudanese people, have been following and monitoring the developments of the conflict from its very beginning. At the time, statements by the rebel Hemedti dominated the scene and received extensive coverage on satellite television channels. He called on General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan to surrender and hand power back to the people. It was not long, however, before the militia’s demands shifted to calls for the Sudanese people to vacate their homes and hand over their property to the new occupiers — the very people who, only yesterday, had been claiming to act in the name of the people.
The first statements by General Al-Burhan declared that the Rapid Support Forces militia had rebelled against the Armed Forces and betrayed its commitment, and that the Armed Forces would work to put an end to this rebellion. We therefore found ourselves facing two leaders: the Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and the commander of a faction that had rebelled against the Commander-in-Chief. Each set about organising and consolidating the ranks of his forces.
So, who has proved to be the true leader in light of the developments of the war since its beginning?
The rebel Hemedti first appeared with a smile, accompanied by a large force travelling in combat vehicles and armoured carriers at the entrance to the Presidential Palace. Since then, however, he has not appeared leading his troops from the front, nor has he been seen visiting the Sudanese people to offer them consolation for what had befallen them.
By contrast, General Al-Burhan’s first appearance was inside General Headquarters, where he chaired a meeting of senior officers and, from there, sent his greetings to the people of Al-Shajara, followed by his resounding laughter. He then appeared again among his soldiers, touring and inspecting the defensive positions around the perimeter of General Headquarters.
Later, we saw him appear at night in Omdurman, making an unexpected visit to one of the checkpoints — so unexpected that the soldier on duty at the time could hardly believe what he was seeing.
General Al-Burhan’s appearances among his troops on the front lines continued: at Hattab Camp; in Al-Jazira State, including the story of the pilot and the Bikha Bridge; in Gebeit, where he attended the graduation of officers from the Military College; in Umm Ruwaba; Bara; El Obeid; and Damazin.
On the civilian side, we saw him moving among citizens in Omdurman, drinking tea and jabana coffee with the tea ladies by the roadside. He drank a cup of tamarind juice served by a roadside cold-drinks seller and, on another occasion, ate a hearty serving of fatta topped with cheese and oil.
He also continued to visit Sufi sheikhs in their zawiyas and mosques, took part in funerals and offered condolences, and attended burial ceremonies in cemeteries, including Al-Bandari Cemetery on the outskirts of eastern Nile. He visited and inspected displaced people who had fled the brutality of the militia at the Al-Dabba camp.
From our position as observers, we have become convinced that a true leader remains close to us—the Sudanese people. A true leader is one who leads from the front, sees reality with his own eyes, is the first to confront danger, and the last to retreat or withdraw.
A true leader is one who is present in the field, rather than someone who talks endlessly from within contrived rooms. A leader is present in times of hardship; when matters become difficult and the situation grows tense, you find him among the people and alongside his nation.
A true leader serves as the soldiers’ role model, sacrificing himself before asking anyone else to make a sacrifice.
Accordingly, from our observations, we note that since the beginning of the war in April 2023, General Al-Burhan has remained present at General Headquarters and has appeared on numerous occasions in the field among his soldiers, inspiring them, raising their morale and urging them to stand firm through his statements, including:
“Our battle is not yet over. It will continue until the rebellion is brought to an end throughout the country.”
He has also said:
“We are determined to end the rebellion once and for all, and we will not allow it to exist again.”
He has further stressed that the “Battle of Dignity” will continue until the country is “cleansed of every mercenary, agent and traitor.”
So, dear reader, I believe it has now become entirely clear to you who the true leader is, and who is merely a purported and delusional leader — who is fit to lead and who is more deserving of being followed in order to preserve the unity and sovereignty of the country until we cross this dangerous juncture and emerge from it.
We conclude with the words of Almighty Allah:
“Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they have been wronged. And indeed, Allah is fully capable of giving them victory. Those who were expelled from their homes without right, merely because they said, ‘Our Lord is Allah.’ And were it not for Allah’s repelling some people by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques — in which the name of Allah is mentioned abundantly — would surely have been destroyed. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful, Almighty.”
(Qur’an 22:39–40)

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=17701