Despite this, the Sudanese army refused to hand over the coffin to Wal-Bashir.
Although critics often accuse the military of aligning with Bashir loyalists, Haroun denied any direct coordination between the NCP and the Sudanese military during his interview, saying that while they are united in the war against the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, they are not politically aligned.
Indeed, the capture of the coffin highlights the rift between al-Burhan and the Islamists of the former regime, who have carried out various coup attempts against the army chief.
In August 2026, he launched a "Sudanese-Sudanese" peace initiative and political process, which did not include the NCP.
Al-Burhan has repeatedly denied the military's ties to Bashir loyalists, and has vowed not to allow the outlawed Communist Party to return to power.
According to Lina Yacoub, Al Hadat TV's Sudan Bureau Chief, Haroun was secretly running the banned NCP inside Sudan, suggesting that his sudden public appearance may have prompted authorities to track him down.