Secretary General of the Sudanese Islamic Movement and former Foreign Minister Ali Karti denied the existence of any relationship between him and the Sudanese army.
In a telephone call with Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday, he said he hasn’t communicated with army commander and head of the transitional council Abdul Fattah al-Burhan in years.
He revealed that he had last met him 12 years ago.
“I have nothing to do with the army,” he stressed.
Karti is accused throughout Sudan of pulling the strings in the army through Islamist forces in the military. The army and Burhan have both dismissed the claims.
Opponents of the Islamic Movement allege that Karti was behind the October 25, 2021 coup, which was staged by Burhan.
They explain that Karti used the coup to return to Bashir loyalists funds that were confiscated from them. They were also reinstated to their state positions.
The opponents also charge that Karti and the Islamists sparked the war that erupted between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, in April 2023 so that they can return to power.
Karti and the Islamists deny all the accusations.
Karti also clarified claims by Hemedti last week over an alleged mediation with Burhan.
Hemedti had requested a mediation with Burhan through Karti, to which Karti said he hadn’t met with the military chief in 12 years.
He instead suggested that he communicate with someone close to Burhan. Karti did not identify the person, but he got him in touch with Hemedti and the mediation was a success.
