Sudan transition government orders military shakeup

President of the Sudanese Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has ordered a major shakeup in the army, abolishing the position of chief of staff and establishing a system of council of staff, a statement issued by the military spokesman said on Tuesday.

The statement issued by the Sudanese army spokesman Brig Amir Mohamed Alhassan said that Lt Gen Mohamed Osman Alhassin has been appointed as head of the council of staff.

Burhan also appointed new commanders for the air, navy and ground forces.

He also promoted a number of officers to the rank of colonel and ordered retirement of several others.

A transitional government for a period of three years was agreed between the civilians and the army last August. The agreement gave powers to the transitional Sovereign Council to restructure the Sudanese army.

Burhan also appointed Majdi Ibrahim as deputy chief of staff, Lt Gen Munawar Othman as deputy chief of staff in management, Lt Gen Abdullah al-Bashir as deputy chief of staff of training, Lt Gen Khaled al-Shami as deputy chief of staff of operations, and Lt Gen Jamal Abdul Majid to the General Intelligence Agency.