Sudan’s Burhan rejects U.S. truce terms after UN visa withheld

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has publicly rejected U.S. pressure to accept an unconditional three-month truce, after Washington withheld his visa for the UN General Assembly.

Speaking at Khartoum Stadium, Burhan said Sudan would not be blackmailed: “We do not want a visa to any country, nor do we want their permission.” U.S. officials had linked the visa to agreement on a ceasefire proposal advanced by Massad Boulos, senior adviser on Arab affairs to President Trump. Burhan said the army’s goal is to “eliminate” the Rapid Support Forces “no matter the cost” and to push the campaign through to Darfur.

Sudan’s war with the RSF, underway since April 2023, has produced what the UN calls the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced serious concern over the visa denial under the 1947 headquarters agreement. The army said Sunday it shot down an RSF long-range drone in North Kordofan and resumed air strikes on Nyala in South Darfur after a long pause in crewed jet operations over Darfur.