Aden-YOL
A campaign launched by Sudanese activists has accused Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, of prolonging the war and undermining the country’s transition to civilian rule. The campaign calls for an end to military governance and accountability for those responsible for human rights violations, amid serious allegations involving the use of chemical weapons.
A simple expression from Sudanese colloquial Arabic has become a powerful protest slogan carrying a direct political message to al-Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces and chairman of the Sovereignty Council.
The hashtags “Ikhtana” and “Ikhtana Ya Burhan” have gained traction across social media platforms as part of a campaign demanding his departure from power and holding him responsible for the military coup against civilian rule and the continuation of a devastating war that has plunged Sudan into one of the gravest humanitarian and political crises in its modern history.
In Sudanese Arabic, the word “Ikhtana” means “leave us alone” or “get away from us.” Within the context of the campaign, however, it has evolved into a concise political command: “Burhan, step down!”
Since October 22, the hashtag has gained momentum on X and Facebook before spreading further across social media in the following days. The campaign has featured photographs, videos, graphic designs, and protest messages linking al-Burhan’s continued hold on power to the worsening war, economic collapse, mass displacement, hunger, and the deterioration of essential public services.
Criticism has extended beyond the military leadership’s handling of the war to accusations that it derailed Sudan’s democratic transition, facilitated the return of Islamist networks and figures associated with the former regime to state institutions, and obstructed efforts to reach a political settlement capable of ending the suffering of the Sudanese people.
From Opposing the War to Demanding Al-Burhan’s Departure
According to participants, the campaign reflects a shift in protest rhetoric from condemning the devastating consequences of the war to holding al-Burhan personally accountable for its continuation.
More than three years after fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, al-Burhan’s critics argue that the pursuit of a decisive military victory has failed to deliver the promised stability.
Instead, the conflict continues to exhaust the country, destroy infrastructure, and deepen political and social divisions.
Posts circulating under the hashtags combine demands for an immediate ceasefire, an end to military rule, the withdrawal of the armed forces from politics, the restoration of civilian government, and accountability for those implicated in abuses against civilians.
The campaign also features sharp criticism of what activists describe as the continued influence of Islamist networks within state institutions and the military, arguing that their presence represents a major obstacle to achieving a comprehensive political settlement.
In this context, Sky News Arabia quoted lawyer Hussein Abdel Salam as saying that al-Burhan had chosen to remain in power at the expense of the survival of the state.
Abdel Salam argued that the “Ikhtana” hashtag reflects a shift in public sentiment, moving beyond protests against deteriorating living conditions and the consequences of war toward directly questioning the army chief’s responsibility for the ongoing conflict and the country’s political future.
He further suggested that growing demands for al-Burhan’s resignation demonstrate the declining ability of the military victory narrative to convince segments of the Sudanese population, particularly as the conflict continues without a clear prospect of resolution.
Fifth Anniversary of October Coup Revives Debate Over Political Responsibility
The timing of the campaign carries particular political significance, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the October 25, 2021, military coup.
On that date, al-Burhan introduced measures that ended the power-sharing arrangement between civilian and military leaders, dissolved transitional institutions, and led to the detention of then-Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and several civilian officials.
Campaign participants draw a direct connection between the coup, the subsequent political and security instability, and the outbreak of war in April 2023.
For al-Burhan’s critics, Sudan’s current crisis did not begin with the armed confrontation between the military and the RSF. Rather, they argue that its roots lie in the disruption of the civilian transition and the reconcentration of political power in the hands of military leaders.
Political activist Osama al-Sir said the coincidence of the “Ikhtana” campaign with the anniversary of the October coup carries a clear political message, reconnecting the collapse of the civilian transition with the ongoing war.
He added that campaign participants hold al-Burhan responsible for a political trajectory that began with the dissolution of transitional institutions and ultimately led to the fragmentation of the state, economic collapse, and the displacement of millions of Sudanese.
Chemical Weapons Allegations Resurface
In a significant development, some posts associated with the campaign have accused the Sudanese military of using chemical weapons against civilians, allegations of exceptional gravity that warrant an independent and transparent international investigation.
Previous allegations concerning the use of chemical substances during Sudan’s conflict have generated international controversy and calls for investigations amid concerns over potential serious violations of international humanitarian law.
However, these allegations, including questions of responsibility for any alleged use of prohibited weapons, must not be treated as established facts without the findings of credible, independent investigations.
Campaign participants argue that accountability for alleged violations should extend to all parties involved in the conflict and that any political settlement must include guarantees for civilian protection and justice.
Sudan Between Prolonged War and Political Deadlock
The “Ikhtana Ya Burhan” campaign comes as Sudan faces a widespread humanitarian catastrophe, with millions displaced, healthcare and education systems severely damaged, essential services disrupted, and food insecurity worsening alongside declining economic activity.
The continued confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has further complicated the political landscape, with mediation efforts struggling to produce a breakthrough and no national consensus emerging on the future of governance or the reconstruction of state institutions.
While the military leadership presents its continued operations as part of an effort to restore control over the country, al-Burhan’s opponents argue that a military solution alone cannot resolve the crisis.
They maintain that continued military dominance over political decision-making obstructs prospects for a genuine transition to civilian government.
Against this backdrop, calls are growing for a comprehensive political process that would secure an end to the war, protect civilians, rebuild state institutions on civilian foundations, and ensure accountability for violations committed by all parties.
“Ikhtana”: One Word That Captures a Nation’s Crisis
The political significance of the campaign extends beyond online protest, as participants seek to transform a familiar Sudanese expression into a unifying slogan reflecting public anger over the prolonged war and the deterioration of economic, humanitarian, and political conditions.
Nevertheless, the circulation of a hashtag on social media cannot, by itself, establish the extent of popular support for al-Burhan’s resignation or demonstrate that the campaign represents the views of all Sudanese citizens, particularly given the deep divisions created by the war.
What stands out, however, is that the campaign’s message is no longer limited to demanding an end to the fighting.
Instead, it increasingly focuses on holding Sudan’s political and military leadership accountable for the decisions that have brought the country to its present crisis.
As Sudan’s war enters another phase of prolonged attrition, the slogan “Ikhtana Ya Burhan” encapsulates the position of campaign participants regarding the future of political power, placing an end to military rule and a return to civilian governance at the forefront of their protest movement.
For those behind the campaign, the issue is no longer simply about stopping the war. It is about determining who bears responsibility for triggering and prolonging Sudan’s crises—and who must step aside to allow the Sudanese people to reclaim their state, their sovereignty, and their future.