Sudan army chief bars Hamdok's return, dismisses chemical weapons claims in war

Sudan army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has ruled out any return to power by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his political allies, while dismissing allegations that the military used chemical weapons during the country's conflict.

Speaking at a mosque in Khartoum's al-Kalakla district on Friday, Burhan accused Hamdok's Civil Democratic Alliance for Revolutionary Forces, known as Somoud, of undermining Sudan by exploiting the humanitarian crisis and lobbying foreign governments. 

He said Hamdok and his allies had been "rejected by the will of the Sudanese people" and warned countries engaging with them that the group was acting against national interests.

Burhan's remarks followed Somoud's announcement last week that it had met officials from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague to call for an investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons by the army in its fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Burhan rejected the claims outright, adding that such accusations would find no support within Sudan. The army chief reiterated that the military and the people were united against what he termed "the rebellion."

He also urged displaced residents to return to Khartoum voluntarily, pledging the restoration of basic services including electricity, water and healthcare. 

Burhan said he expected displaced Sudanese to return before the start of Ramadan in February, citing improved security since the army forced the RSF out of the capital in March 2025.