1 day ago
US Links Sudanese Leader’s UN Visa to Ceasefire Plan
The United States has reportedly not issued Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan a visa to visit New York.
He was supposed to speak at the United Nations General Assembly.
Sources say the visa may depend on his accepting a 90-day pause in fighting.
The pause was proposed by US official Massad Boulos.
Sudan’s army has reservations about the proposal.
Burhan says earlier pauses allowed the opposing Rapid Support Forces to regroup.
Sudan asked the United Nations to help resolve the disagreement.
The United Nations said it was deeply concerned and had contacted the United States.
Burhan may stay away, with Sudan’s foreign minister possibly speaking instead.
The United States is reportedly withholding Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s visa before his scheduled United Nations appearance.
Sources said visa issuance was made contingent on Burhan accepting a 90-day ceasefire proposed by Massad Boulos.
Sudan’s UN ambassador asked António Guterres to intervene, calling the delay a potential violation of UN obligations.
Burhan and Sudan’s army oppose a take-it-or-leave-it approach and have reservations about the ceasefire proposal.
Burhan reportedly postponed his trip, while Sudan’s foreign minister may deliver the General Assembly address instead.
- Who
- Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudanese authorities, United States officials, and the United Nations.
- What
- The United States is reportedly linking Burhan’s UN visa to acceptance of a proposed 90-day ceasefire.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Burhan’s planned travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
- When
- The reports were published September 22; Burhan was scheduled to speak on Thursday during the General Assembly.
- Why
- Sources said the visa condition was linked to a ceasefire proposal that Sudan’s army has resisted.
Sudan’s Position
United States’ Reported Position
Visa access
Sudan’s Position
Sudan says withholding the visa could prevent the head of a UN member state from personally attending the General Assembly and has asked the United Nations to intervene.
United States’ Reported Position
The United States reportedly has not issued the visa, but officials initially did not publicly explain its status or confirm the reported condition.
Ceasefire terms
Sudan’s Position
Sudan’s army has reservations about the proposed 90-day ceasefire, while Burhan says previous pauses allowed the Rapid Support Forces and its backers to regroup.
United States’ Reported Position
Sources said United States officials made Burhan’s attendance contingent on accepting the ceasefire proposed by Massad Boulos.
Political legitimacy and mediation
Sudan’s Position
Burhan rejects external directives and says proposals about Sudan’s war should not be imposed without Sudanese involvement.
United States’ Reported Position
The United States says it is prepared to work with serious peace partners and has sought to mediate through a format involving the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
Key facts
- Reported visa status
- Burhan had reportedly not received a United States visa and had postponed his New York trip, but Sudan had not received formal notice of a denial.
- Scheduled appearance
- Burhan was expected to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
- Ceasefire proposal
- Massad Boulos proposed a 90-day ceasefire, and sources said Burhan’s attendance was made contingent on accepting it.
- Sudan’s response
- Sudan’s government called the situation a possible violation of UN obligations, while Burhan rejected a take-it-or-leave-it approach.
- United Nations response
- Secretary-General António Guterres was described as deeply concerned, and the UN Secretariat said it was engaging with United States authorities.
- Possible replacement speaker
- A Sudanese source said Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salem could deliver the General Assembly address instead.
- Conflict context
- Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since April 2023.
Quotes
A senior Sudanese government source
A senior source speaking on behalf of Sudan’s government
“We in the Sudanese government express our deep regret because this is a violation of the UN Convention and international law. Sudan’s government affirms its stance towards peace.”
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“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that a visa has reportedly not yet been issued to the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Sudan.”
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A Sudanese diplomatic source
A diplomatic source familiar with Sudan’s position
“Burhan rejects this take-it-or-leave-it approach, any proposal is subject to suggestions and changes.”
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Tommy Pigott
A US State Department spokesman.
“The United States and President Trump stand ready to work with anyone who is a serious partner for peace in Sudan. In the meantime, we will seek to raise the cost of continued conflict on all belligerents and the networks which fuel the conflict.”
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Sources
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