Sudanese activists and journalists have criticized the United States following reports that Washington withheld a visa from military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in connection with the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. According to multiple news sources, the visa denial was apparently intended to pressure al-Burhan into accepting a 90-day ceasefire proposal championed by Massad Boulos, a senior US adviser for Arab and African affairs. Al-Burhan was scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday in his capacity as head of Sudan’s armed forces, which have been engaged in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023.
Civil society figures have characterized the reported visa withholding as an inappropriate exercise of political coercion. Several activists argued on social media that access to UN forums should not be contingent upon accepting specific diplomatic positions. One journalist contended that denying al-Burhan entry might strengthen rather than weaken his domestic standing. Others pointed to what they described as inconsistent application of visa policies, noting that other international figures have received entry despite facing serious allegations.
Sudan’s UN ambassador formally requested UN intervention with US authorities, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the reported visa denial. UN officials stated they had urged the United States to fulfill its obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement and allow timely participation in the General Assembly proceedings. Neither the US State Department nor the Sudanese government has directly confirmed the visa withholding, though a State Department statement questioned the legitimacy of Sudan’s military leadership.
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by urging the US to respect the country’s sovereignty and engage constructively with its government. Officials stated that any peace initiatives must acknowledge Sudan’s territorial integrity and address underlying causes of the conflict. Al-Burhan has previously rejected externally imposed ceasefires, arguing that such pauses have historically advantaged opposing forces during the three-year conflict that has displaced millions and created widespread humanitarian crises.
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