US Withholds Visa for Sudan Leader Over Ceasefire Dispute

The United States withheld entry visas for Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his delegation, preventing him from addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2026. Washington reportedly conditioned the travel documents on al-Burhan accepting a 90-day humanitarian ceasefire plan proposed by senior adviser Massad Boulos. The plan aims to open aid routes and transition the country toward civilian-led elections, but the Sudanese government rejected the terms, arguing a truce would allow the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to regroup.

The United States Department of State declared that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the RSF represent legitimate constitutional governance, stating the factions rule through "force of arms alone." Officials warned they would increase pressure on the belligerents and the networks fueling the conflict to raise the cost of continued fighting.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the visa denial, urging the U.S. to fulfill its obligations under the 1947 headquarters agreement, which prohibits the host country from impeding the travel of member state representatives. In response to the impasse, Sudan was represented at the assembly by Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salem.