US Visa Reportedly Linked to Sudan Ceasefire Demand Before UN Address

Reports that the United States withheld or conditioned Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s visa on acceptance of a proposed ceasefire have prompted criticism ahead of his scheduled address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Reuters, citing Sudanese sources, reported that the visa was being linked to a 90-day truce proposed by US envoy Massad Boulos. Agence France-Presse, citing two diplomatic sources, separately reported that Washington had refused to issue the visa and tied it to acceptance of a three-month ceasefire.

The reports have not been directly confirmed by Sudan’s government or the US Department of State. The State Department issued a statement that did not specifically address al-Burhan’s visa.

UN expresses concern

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said Guterres was “deeply concerned” by reports that the visa had not been issued.

Dujarric said the UN Secretariat had urged the United States to issue visas in line with its obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement and in time for al-Burhan to participate in the General Assembly.

Sudan’s UN ambassador, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith, also wrote to Guterres requesting the UN’s “immediate intervention” with US authorities, according to Reuters.

One diplomatic source quoted by AFP described the reported refusal as a “clear violation of the UN’s agreement with the US”.

Criticism from Sudanese voices

Sudanese activists and journalists criticised the reported visa decision and questioned whether restricting al-Burhan’s travel would advance efforts to end the war.

Activist Sayed Al-Mazaj described linking the visa to the proposed ceasefire as “a tool for political pressure”. Journalist Diaa Al-Din Bilal said preventing al-Burhan from travelling to New York would not force him to accept the US position and could instead increase his popularity and support.

Mamoun al-Sheikh wrote on Facebook: “Even if the visa is withheld, it will not silence Sudan’s voice.”

Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Washington to engage positively with the Sudanese government. It said any peace initiative should respect Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and legitimate national institutions, while also addressing what it described as negative foreign interference contributing to the continuation of the war.

US position on the conflict

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said neither the Sudanese army nor the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or their respective leaders, “represent legitimate, constitutional governance for Sudan”. He added that the United States would “seek to raise the cost of continued conflict on all belligerents”.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the RSF since April 2023. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and produced what has been described as the world’s largest hunger and displacement crises.

Al-Burhan has been Sudan’s de facto leader since 2019. He and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo led a 2021 coup after which the African Union and Western powers withdrew recognition.

Al-Burhan was scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday. The available reports do not establish whether he ultimately received a visa or attended the session.