An influential military figure in Sudan has referred to the overthrow of the government two years ago as a "mistake.".
The deputy head of Sudan's ruling council, Gen. Mohamed Dagalo, claimed that Omar al-Bashir's political supporters had benefited from the coup.
Since Bashir was overthrown in 2019, military leaders have been accused of sabotaging the transition to civilian rule.
Since then, pro-democracy activists have been planning demonstrations against the military authorities.
Sudan has been experiencing political and economic unrest ever since a military junta overthrew the civilian-led transitional government in 2021.
Gen. Dagalo, also known as "Hemeti," made the following statement in a televised speech on Sunday: "Unfortunately, it [the coup] has become a gateway for the return of the former regime. " .
He issued a warning that Bashir's allies, the country's nearly three decades-long ruler who is currently in custody, were regaining political influence.
He was referring to those appointed to government positions after the coup and army members who supported the National Congress party, which had previously held power.
Gen. Dagalo applauded a transition plan signed last year that sought to reinstate a two-phase political process leading to the restoration of civilian rule. As well as supporting the demands of pro-democracy demonstrators, he acknowledged that he "sometimes made mistakes.".
His remarks come amid escalating hostilities between his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief and de facto leader of the nation.
Last week, Gen. al-Burhan issued a warning, saying that he would not permit the RSF to function as a separate entity and that it ought to be integrated into the army.
In his speech, Gen. Dagalo made the vague statement that he "will not permit remnants of the defunct regime to drive a wedge between" the RSF and the regular army.
His most recent remarks could be interpreted as a deliberate effort to sever ties with the army and form alliances with some civilian groups for a man who has recently not been reluctant to express his political ambitions.
Given that some civilian groups believe they need an armed ally to take on the military authorities, there are some signs that such an overture might be welcomed. However, there are worries that this action might cause more unrest.
Gen. Dagalo's speech has mostly received mocking responses so far.
Critics point out that the speech avoided discussing responsibility for the killings of civilians, including the alleged RSF massacre on June 3, 2019.
They also claim that he ignored claims that the same unit, which was at the time Bashir's allies, had murdered people in western Darfur. It is estimated that since the conflict started in 2003, hundreds of thousands of people have died and millions have been ejected from their homes.
