Is Sudan’s battlefield shaping the terms of its next political phase?

By Al Jazeera staff. Published On 26 Aug 202626 Aug 2026.

What happened

Sudan's war is showing signs of a changing dynamic. Sudanese armed forces (SAF) have created a series of gains in North Kordofan state; the paramilitary group Rapid Backing Forces (RSF) is facing a new wave of defections; and army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is opening a political track while insisting the military campaign will continue.

Army advances are putting pressure on RSF supply lines; defections are raising questions regarding the force's cohesion; and al-Burhan. This person additionally heads the Transitional Sovereignty Council, is seeking to shape a political process from a position strengthened by developments on the battlefield.

The bottom line

For now, is Sudan's battlefield shaping the terms of its next political phase? Remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.