Sudan’s Foreign Minister Rejects Imposed Peace Solutions Amid Visa Dispute

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohamed El-Amin Sallam confirmed Khartoum’s readiness to engage in a constructive negotiation process with the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Pakistan, China, Turkey, the Arab League, the African Union, IGAD, and the United Nations — all of which he said are acting in good faith to end the war in Sudan.

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Sallam stressed that while Sudanese government forces have achieved battlefield victories, a sustainable peace remains essential. He noted that Sudan has launched a Sudanese National Dialogue Committee to pursue durable peace and cited a decree issued by Sovereign Council Chairman Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan granting amnesty to all individuals who lay down arms and join the national dialogue.

Sallam stated that anyone withdrawing from militias is welcomed unconditionally, adding that “hundreds” have already done so. He reiterated that any initiative to end the conflict must fully respect Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, explicitly rejecting external imposition of solutions — referencing language used in a U.S. State Department statement.

He emphasized Sudan’s position on unity: “We are open, but we will not accept any infringement on the unity of our territory.” Regarding the denial of a U.S. visa to al-Burhan, Sallam described the issue as deliberately engineered to worsen tensions. He attributed the move to “maneuvers and external pressure” by certain circles within the U.S. administration, driven by actors with vested interests.

Sallam confirmed the continued presence of Sudan’s ambassador to Washington, stating no official notification had been received indicating that the United States no longer recognizes him. He characterized Sudan as a “pivotal state in the region,” warning that internal collapse would trigger regional instability and negatively affect international peace and security.

U.S. Links Visa to 90-Day Ceasefire Agreement

Diplomatic sources told Al-Sharq on Tuesday that the United States conditioned the issuance of a visa for al-Burhan — who leads both the Transitional Sovereign Council and the Sudanese Armed Forces — on his acceptance of a proposed humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan.

According to those sources, a senior U.S. official presented the ceasefire proposal during a meeting in Washington, D.C., with Sudanese officials on Monday. One diplomatic source labeled the move “unacceptable political coercion” against the Sudanese government and insisted it would not submit to a policy of subjugation.

A Sudanese diplomatic source and a Western analyst close to both U.S. and Sudanese officials told Reuters that the visa’s issuance appears contingent upon al-Burhan’s agreement to sign a 90-day ceasefire proposed by U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Arab and African Affairs, Masaad Bolus.

Neither the U.S. Department of State nor Sudanese authorities had responded to Reuters’ requests for comment at the time of reporting.

UN Secretary-General Urges Prompt Visa Issuance

Sudan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Harith Idris Harith, sent an official letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres days before al-Burhan’s scheduled General Assembly address, requesting urgent UN intervention due to the U.S. refusal to issue the visa.

In the letter dated 21 September, Harith warned: “If this situation continues, it will effectively prevent the head of a UN member state from participating personally in the work of the General Assembly.”

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over reports that no visa had yet been issued to Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman. Secretary-General Guterres echoed that concern, underscoring that al-Burhan is scheduled to address the General Assembly later this week.

Guterres urged the host country — the United States — to fulfill its obligations under the 1947 Headquarters Agreement by issuing the visa promptly, thereby enabling al-Burhan’s personal participation. He stressed that full participation by all delegations is fundamental to the effective functioning of the Organization and confirmed that the UN Secretariat raised the matter immediately with U.S. authorities and remains in ongoing contact with them.

U.S.-Sudan Tensions Reach Lowest Point Since War Began

The United States is bound by the 1947 Headquarters Agreement, which obligates the host country to facilitate unimpeded access for representatives of UN member states to the Organization’s headquarters and to issue visas without delay.

U.S.-Sudanese military relations have deteriorated in recent weeks following an American proposal to expand the existing arms embargo — currently limited to Darfur, the stronghold of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces — to cover the entire country. Supporters of al-Burhan argue the measure would disproportionately penalize the Sudanese Armed Forces.

This impasse marks the lowest point in U.S.-Sudan relations since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. It unfolds just days before al-Burhan’s scheduled speech to the General Assembly on Thursday.

The Sudanese Armed Forces have expressed reservations about the ceasefire proposal advanced by Bolus this summer. Al-Burhan himself has outlined a vision for ending the war based on an internally led settlement, calling for a permanent ceasefire and the consolidation of all weapons under a national army.

Foreign Minister Sallam and Darfur Governor Minni Arkou Minnawi arrived in the United States as part of Sudan’s official delegation to the General Assembly. Both held multiple sideline meetings during the session, addressing developments in Sudan and efforts to end the war and strengthen stability in the country.