US Withholds Visa for Sudan Leader Ahead of UN Address

The United States has withheld an entry visa for Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ahead of his scheduled appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Sudanese and Western sources said the visa appeared to be tied to Burhan’s acceptance of a proposed 90-day ceasefire aimed at halting the war in Sudan.

Burhan Scheduled to Address UN

Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader, was expected to address world leaders during the General Assembly. He has previously represented Sudan at the gathering, including twice since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023.

Sudan Seeks UN Intervention

Sudan’s UN ambassador, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith, has appealed to Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene with Washington and secure visas for Burhan and his delegation. In a letter, Idriss argued that preventing Burhan from attending in person would stop the head of a UN member state from participating directly in the General Assembly.

Guterres Expresses Concern

A UN spokesperson said Guterres was “deeply concerned” that the visa had reportedly not been issued. The UN Secretariat said it had raised the matter with US authorities and continued to engage with Washington over the issue.

Sudan Cites UN Headquarters Agreement

Sudan has argued that the US decision conflicts with its responsibilities as the host country of the United Nations. The 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement establishes obligations concerning access for representatives of member states attending UN meetings. A Sudanese diplomatic source described the withholding of the visa as a violation of the agreement.

Washington Declines to Comment

The US State Department has not publicly confirmed that the visa was withheld because of the ceasefire proposal. A State Department representative declined to comment on specific visa cases, while Sudanese authorities had also not immediately provided an official response to requests for comment.

Burhan Rejects External Pressure

The reported visa dispute comes after Sudan’s army expressed reservations about the 90-day ceasefire proposed by US Senior Adviser for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos. Burhan has previously argued that earlier ceasefires allowed the RSF and its supporters to regroup rather than bringing a lasting end to the conflict.

US-Sudan Relations Deteriorate

The dispute adds to growing tensions between Washington and Sudan’s military leadership. The United States has been involved in international efforts to mediate the conflict through the Quad, which also includes the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Washington has also imposed sanctions on Burhan and is considering broader restrictions on arms supplies to Sudan.

War Continues in Sudan

Sudan’s conflict, which began in April 2023, has caused widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis. Fighting between Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has continued despite repeated diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire. Guterres has recently called for countries supplying weapons to the rival forces to be held accountable for worsening the conflict.

Alternative Sudanese Representative Possible

With uncertainty surrounding Burhan’s travel to New York, Sudan may have to rely on another senior official to deliver its address to the General Assembly. The visa dispute is now adding another diplomatic complication to efforts to secure negotiations and a ceasefire in Sudan.