How the Muslim Brotherhood is Hijacking Sudan’s Future
Sudan’s brutal war is often framed as a tragic power struggle between two generals. But beneath the surface, a far more dangerous narrative is unfolding: the systemic resurgence of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood.
Members of the Sudanese Army gather next to destroyed military vehicles after a battle with the Rapid Support Forces in the capital, Khartoum, Sudan,
This isn’t just about who controls the capital; it’s about a deliberate, calculated effort by hardline Islamists to embed themselves within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and sabotage any hope for peace. They aren’t defending the state they are holding it hostage to secure their own survival and re-create a sanctuary for extremism in the Horn of Africa.
The most glaring example of this resurgence is the al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade. This US-designated, hardline Islamist combat battalion operates with chilling functional autonomy alongside the regular army. They aren’t just foot soldiers; they are leveraging training and arms, reportedly from Iran’s IRGC, to entrench ideological control over military decisions. When extreme elements dictate strategy, the military ceases to be a national defense force and becomes an instrument of ideology.
Why have numerous regional and international ceasefire attempts failed? Because the Brotherhood’s insistence on "total war" and a zero-sum military victory structurally prevents compromise. They are actively weaponizing the devastating humanitarian catastrophe, calculating that prolonged chaos is the only environment in which they can secure their political rebirth. Every failed mediation is a tactical win for those who thrive on conflict.
Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan: Genesis, Evolution and Threat | Prof. Rohan Gunaratna https://t.co/C0Lhv37tuJ Muslimbruderschaft
This resurgence requires funding, and the financial architecture of the old regime is being meticulously restored. The post-October 2021 undoing of the Empowerment Removal Committee was a crucial turning point. Core assets and shell corporations were un-frozen, restoring operations for designated financiers like Abdelbasit Hamza—a figure linked to the Zawaya Group and Larrycom, as well as Hamas transfer networks. The financial conduits that once fueled terror are open for business again.
The implications are terrifying when viewed through the lens of history. Today’s maneuvers are straight out of Hassan al-Turabi’s 1990s National Islamic Front playbook. Let’s not forget that this is the same network that hosted Osama bin Laden, ran militant training camps, supported the 1995 assassination attempt on Hosni Mubarak, and provided the operational launchpad for the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings. Sudan risks becoming, once again, a transnational hub for global jihad.
Perhaps most alarming are the leaked intelligence reports regarding the SAF’s clandestine activities. Reports suggest the deployment and stockpiling of chlorine-based munitions at the Merowe air base—resources allegedly diverted from civilian infrastructure in Omdurman. The introduction of chemical warfare elements into an already volatile region is an escalation the international community cannot afford to ignore.
The Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood is repeating history. By embedding inside the military, blocking peace, laundering money, and flirting with foreign extremist alliances, they guarantee the prolongation of Sudan's agony.
Key Source & In-Depth Reading: Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan: Genesis, Evolution and Threat — Manara Magazine