Sudan’s foreign minister has accused the United States of preventing Army Chief General Abdel-Fattah Burhan from attending the United Nations General Assembly by failing to issue him a visa.
Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim made the accusation during his address to the UN General Assembly on Monday.
Ibrahim said Burhan was unable to participate in the high-level meeting because the necessary travel document was not issued by the United States, which hosts the UN headquarters in New York.
“The host country prevented this by failing to issue the appropriate visa for His Excellency to participate in the high-level segment,” the minister said.
According to people familiar with the matter, the visa decision came amid disagreements over a proposed ceasefire intended to stop the fighting between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces.
Beyond the diplomatic dispute, Ibrahim focused much of his address on foreign involvement in Sudan’s conflict.
He urged countries involved in supplying the warring parties to stop sending weapons, ammunition and foreign fighters into the country.
The minister argued that a sustainable settlement would require the removal of weapons from groups outside government control.
He said foreign intervention must end if Sudan is to achieve a settlement capable of preventing renewed conflict.
Sudan’s war began in April 2023 when fighting erupted between forces loyal to the army leadership and the RSF. The conflict has since produced widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.
A UN-backed investigation published this month reported that networks outside Sudan have supplied personnel, weapons and military technology that have helped sustain the fighting.
The role of foreign actors has consequently become a major issue in international efforts to resolve the conflict.
Ibrahim’s comments at the General Assembly came as diplomatic efforts continue to find a ceasefire arrangement and address the broader causes of Sudan’s prolonged war.
