Sudan Turmoil: Allegation That al-Burhan’s UN Visa Was Withheld Over Ceasefire Demand
UN Secretary-General António Guterres Expresses Regret Over al-Burhan Not Being Issued a Visa
Khartoum/ September 27, 2026: The issue of whether the United States withheld a visa from Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan amid pressure to accept a ceasefire in Sudan has now developed into a major diplomatic controversy.
According to reports by Reuters and other international media outlets, the United States allegedly linked the visa issue to pressure on al-Burhan to accept a proposed 90-day ceasefire in Sudan.
However, the U.S. government has not publicly confirmed that the visa was linked to acceptance of the ceasefire. Therefore, it is important to describe the reported connection as being based on “reports” or “sources,” rather than presenting it as an officially confirmed U.S. policy.
How Did the Dispute Begin?
Al-Burhan had been scheduled to travel to New York to attend the 81st UN General Assembly and deliver a speech. However, just days before the scheduled event, he had still not received a U.S. entry visa.
Reuters, citing Sudanese and other sources, reported that the United States had linked the visa to a 90-day ceasefire proposal. The proposal was reportedly being promoted by senior U.S. adviser Massad Boulos. The Sudanese government had objected to accepting the proposal.
An AFP report, also citing a diplomatic source, likewise said that the visa issue had been linked to acceptance of a three-month ceasefire. The U.S. State Department, however, did not directly comment on the visa issue.
Sudan Seeks UN Intervention
Sudan’s UN ambassador, Al-Harith Idris al-Harith, wrote to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, seeking immediate intervention in the matter.
Sudan’s argument was that, since the UN headquarters is located in New York, the United States has a responsibility to facilitate the participation of representatives of member states in UN activities.
UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was concerned that al-Burhan had not been issued a visa. The UN Secretariat had urged the United States to issue the visa in accordance with its obligations.
On September 25, Guterres also expressed regret over al-Burhan not being issued a visa during a meeting with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem.
What Is the U.S. Position?
The issue became more complicated when the U.S. State Department, instead of directly explaining the visa dispute, raised questions about Sudan’s current political and military leadership.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the Rapid Support Forces, along with their respective leaders, represent “legitimate, constitutional governance” in Sudan.
The United States also said it was seeking to increase pressure on all parties continuing the conflict, as well as networks providing economic or military support to the war.
In other words, Washington’s stated approach is not limited to securing a ceasefire. The United States says it intends to increase pressure on both major sides of Sudan’s ongoing power and military struggle.
How Did al-Burhan Respond?
According to reports published on September 26, al-Burhan rejected the reported U.S. pressure.
He reportedly said that he did not need a U.S. visa and would not accept conditions that he believed could harm Sudan.
Al-Burhan has long opposed external ceasefire proposals that he believes could affect the balance of power between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Sudanese government has argued that previous ceasefire arrangements were used by the RSF to strengthen its military position.
Who Is Fighting in Sudan?
Sudan has been embroiled in a war between the army and the paramilitary RSF since April 2023.
On one side are the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by al-Burhan. On the other is the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.
Interestingly, al-Burhan and Hemedti were once part of the same governing structure. Their political and power struggle later developed into an open armed conflict.
The war has pushed Sudan into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Millions of people have been displaced, while food insecurity and the need for humanitarian assistance continue to increase.
According to the United Nations, the conflict has resulted in large-scale hunger and displacement.
Did the U.S. Really Link the Visa to the Ceasefire?
This remains the most sensitive question in the entire dispute.
Reuters and AFP, citing Sudanese and diplomatic sources, have reported a connection between the visa issue and the proposed 90-day ceasefire.
However, the U.S. government has not publicly stated that al-Burhan’s visa was withheld because he refused to accept the ceasefire.
Therefore, for now, the matter is more accurately described as a reported linkage, rather than a policy officially acknowledged by the U.S. government.
Why Is the UN Headquarters Agreement Part of the Dispute?
This is what makes the controversy even more significant.
Under the UN Headquarters Agreement, the United States has obligations concerning access and movement connected with the participation of representatives of UN member states in UN activities.
AFP reported, citing diplomatic sources, that withholding the visa could potentially violate those obligations.
The UN Secretary-General’s office also urged the United States to issue the visa in accordance with its responsibilities.
On the other hand, the United States has raised the issue of whether either al-Burhan or the RSF leadership represents legitimate constitutional governance in Sudan.
The dispute therefore brings together three major issues: the right to participate in UN proceedings, U.S. immigration authority, and the question of political legitimacy in Sudan.
Who Represented Sudan at the UN?
In al-Burhan’s absence, Sudan was represented by Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem.
Sudanese officials nevertheless said they would continue humanitarian engagement and political dialogue through the United Nations.
According to Sudan’s ambassador, the visa dispute also affected some planned discussions with U.S. officials in New York.
What Is the U.S. Objective?
In a September 26 report, The National quoted U.S. presidential adviser Massad Boulos as saying that Washington wants to use measures such as sanctions and arms restrictions to help stop the fighting in Sudan.
This suggests that the United States is seeking to pursue a strategy of increasing pressure on both warring sides, rather than limiting its role to mediation.
But One Important Question Remains
If the visa of a leader of a UN member state is linked to a political condition, the question arises:
Should access to the UN General Assembly be used as a means of pressuring a country to change its foreign policy or accept a ceasefire?
The Sudanese side views the matter as political pressure and interference in the UN system, while the stated U.S. objective is to increase pressure on all parties to help end the war.
The actual dispute between these positions has not yet been fully resolved.
The Sudan controversy is therefore no longer simply about whether al-Burhan received a U.S. visa.
It now has three broader dimensions:
the proposed 90-day ceasefire, increasing U.S. pressure on Sudan, and the question of access to UN activities under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
Al-Burhan has reportedly refused to bow to the reported U.S. pressure, while Washington is moving ahead with a policy of increasing pressure aimed at ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also expressed regret over al-Burhan not being issued a visa.
Source: Sudan Tribune