Guterres: Regrets US Al-Burhan Visa Denial for UN General Assembly

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed regret over the US denying an entry visa to Sudan's Sovereign Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, for the General Assembly.
• The UN had listed Al-Burhan to address the General Assembly, but Washington did not grant the visa, citing non-recognition of his ruling authority.
• The US decision followed its failed efforts to secure a humanitarian truce in the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces since April 2023.
• This visa denial raises concerns about the US fulfilling its host country obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
• Guterres met with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem to discuss Sudan's situation and humanitarian aid, calling for an end to the war and emphasizing dialogue for peace.

The denial of a diplomatic visa for Al-Burhan by Washington has sparked concerns regarding the fulfillment of international obligations.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed significant regret on September 24, 2026, over the United States' failure to uphold its responsibilities as the host nation for the international body. This diplomatic incident centered on the obstruction of an entry visa for Sudan's Sovereign Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, which prevented his participation in the ongoing General Assembly proceedings. The UN had specifically included Al-Burhan on its roster of heads of state slated to address the General Assembly, with his speech originally scheduled for Thursday.

The United States subsequently issued a statement clarifying its position, indicating that it no longer recognized Al-Burhan's ruling authority in Sudan. This decision by the US to deny Al-Burhan UN entry came after its diplomatic efforts to broker a humanitarian truce in Sudan proved unsuccessful. The proposed truce aimed to halt the intense conflict that has plagued the nation since April 2023, pitting the Sudanese army against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The refusal to grant the visa raises questions about the interpretation and application of the UN Headquarters Agreement, which outlines the host country obligations of the United States. Such agreements typically ensure access for representatives of member states to UN facilities, irrespective of bilateral political differences. The US stance, rooted in its assessment of the Sudanese leadership's legitimacy following failed peace initiatives, represents a significant diplomatic move with potential implications for future host country obligations at the UN.

Amidst this diplomatic friction, Secretary-General Guterres held a meeting with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem in New York. Minister Salem is currently in the city participating in the ongoing session of the UN General Assembly. During their discussion, the Sudanese Foreign Minister provided Guterres with an update on the evolving situation within Sudan, as confirmed by a statement from the Sudanese Foreign Ministry.

Minister Salem reiterated his government's steadfast commitment to maintaining cooperation with the Secretary-General's personal envoy and with various international and regional organizations actively involved in humanitarian efforts. He further pledged that Sudan would provide all necessary facilities to ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, including the passage of convoys and the delivery of crucial relief supplies to those in need across all regions of the country. For his part, Secretary-General Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to the suffering endured by the Sudanese populace, emphasizing that dialogue remains the essential pathway to resolving the conflict and establishing lasting peace in Sudan. He also commended the Sudanese government's cooperation in these critical areas.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune