The Face of Truth: The Return of the Man Behind Bashir Ouster

Ibrahim Shiglawy

On May 12, 2025, a private plane landed at Port Sudan Airport carrying General Salah Abdullah Gosh, the former head of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service, according to local media reports. While this may appear to be an individual move, a deeper reading of the events reveals that this visit is not detached from the major transformations Sudan is undergoing. Rather, it aligns with a significant transitional moment in the Sudanese state, during which the post-war contours are taking shape and power centers are being redrawn.

Whether his return is imminent or still shrouded in secrecy, his name is never absent from behind-the-scenes conversations and influential circles. The man regarded as the mastermind behind Al-Bashir’s removal in 2019 has never been on the sidelines of Sudan’s political or security scene. In this article, we pose the question of his possible return to the spotlight as a key to understanding the power realignments behind the scenes during this pivotal chapter in the nation’s history.

Gosh, one of the most prominent architects of the security apparatus under President Al-Bashir, served twice as director of the National Intelligence and Security Service. He was known for his ability to manage complex internal and external files, earning a reputation as a shadow figure and always sparking debate among both opponents and supporters.

His arrival comes a week before Dr. Kamal Idris was officially appointed Prime Minister (May 19, 2025, according to SUNA News Agency), marking a political transition as part of the post-war reorganization phase. This visit cannot be separated from this moment, which represents the beginning of a new authority—one that follows division, rebellion, and eventual victory.

Despite his age (68 years) and some health issues, the possibility of Gosh returning to political or security work remains, particularly in advisory or leadership roles that do not require direct field involvement. His experience in intelligence services, his regional ties—especially with Egypt and the UAE—and his previous role in security coordination grant him significant influence if he is chosen to return. His international connections, particularly with Western circles, may also be utilized to support transitional arrangements or strategic alliances, making him a critical player in Sudan’s current political equation amid increasing security and political voids.

Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting, particularly with the American decision to impose sanctions on Sudan, citing the alleged use of chemical weapons. The Sudanese government rejected these accusations as baseless, and some analysts viewed them as part of a calculated plan aimed at undermining the Sudanese army’s position and pressuring it into concessions in potential negotiations. They described the decision as the result of security coordination between Washington and Abu Dhabi.

In the broader logic of events, pivotal players usually appear at turning points and often precede major changes. Thus, Gosh’s visit came just before the Sudanese army announced full control over Khartoum State, after reclaiming the Salha area from the Rapid Support Forces on May 20, 2025—an event that significantly altered the war’s dynamics. In that operation, the army acquired drones and advanced jamming systems, according to government spokesperson Khalid Al-Ayesir, revealing extraordinary foreign support to the militia.

In the same context, a special operation in El Fasher saw the army’s electronic warfare units shoot down an advanced drone believed to be on a secret mission to transport ammunition and technical equipment. The army’s success in seizing the drone’s contents intact and decrypting its data marked a major intelligence breakthrough, providing a deeper understanding of militia movements and their logistical support networks.

All these developments paint a new picture of the war: the state is striving to stabilize under external pressure. In this context, Salah Gosh’s visit emerges as a pivotal move that could signal his potential involvement in post-war or transitional arrangements—either as a security advisor or as a behind-the-scenes actor.

In this regard, Gosh’s return, with his long-standing intelligence and international relations expertise, cannot be separated from the intensifying intelligence conflict. The man who previously coordinated with global agencies like the CIA on counterterrorism files (New York Times, 2008), may now be reappearing as part of a deal some parties are pursuing. Intelligence leaders often emerge when the state stands at the crossroads of domestic and international interests.

On the political front, as we know, the Sudanese political arena is reshuffling: old figures return, blocs retreat, and new alliances are formed. In this light, Gosh’s return signals a key transformation in the nature of the state, particularly within its deep structures, especially its security apparatus.

Following the logic of historical laws, according to Emad Al-Din Khalil, when we read events in a connected sequence, we find that the moment of April 15, 2023, was the culmination of accumulated factors where internal and external forces conspired to impose their cross-border agenda. These forces included the FFC alliance, the International Quartet, and the Rapid Support Forces, who collectively planned to hijack the country through field arrangements like the raid on Merowe Airport (April 13, 2023) and secret night meetings in Khartoum as reported by Al Jazeera Mubasher.

Therefore, what is happening today is the result of complex internal and external arrangements, now playing out in a post-war context. The Sudanese scene is trending toward a new centralization of power after separatist projects have collapsed. According to the Qur’anic logic that upholds the value of divine laws, we know that falsehood may rise for a time but does not endure. As the state begins to reclaim its natural functions—the army controlling geography, the government declaring its presence, and the law being enforced—the moment of truth draws near. All those who took part in those preludes are now attempting to reclaim their positions, including Gosh.

Thus, according to our perspective from #The_Face_of_Truth, if we interpret the news through a comprehensive analytical lens, Gosh’s visit is not just a passing event, but part of a broader tableau in which the Sudanese state moves toward a post-war phase. The logic of events, the interconnection of causes, and the context of time and place all indicate that the country is entering a phase of “power settlement,” where old figures return and new equations are forged. Gosh is but a witness of an era that has ended—and another that has just begun.

Wishing you health and wellness.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
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