US denies visa for Sudan’s de facto leader due to address UN: Reuters reported the visa was being withheld and that sources said it was linked to a proposed 90-day ceasefire; the U.S. State Department did not publicly confirm that the visa decision was conditioned on the ceasefire. The UN has said it is deeply concerned and has raised the issue with U.S. authorities.

The United States has withheld a visa for Sudanese army chief and de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, preventing him from travelling to New York for a scheduled address to the United Nations General Assembly.

The development was reported by diplomatic sources and comes as Washington increases pressure on Sudan’s warring parties to accept a ceasefire and pursue a political settlement to the conflict that began in April 2023.

Burhan was scheduled to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

The visa dispute has also prompted the Sudanese government to ask UN Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene.

US visa for Burhan linked to ceasefire proposal, sources say

Reuters reported that U.S. officials had made Burhan’s attendance contingent on his acceptance of a proposed 90-day ceasefire.

The proposal was put forward by Massad Boulos, the U.S. senior adviser for Arab and African affairs.

A Sudanese diplomatic source and a Western analyst familiar with U.S.-Sudan relations told Reuters that the visa appeared to be linked to Burhan accepting the ceasefire proposal.

However, the U.S. State Department has not publicly confirmed that the visa was conditioned on the ceasefire.

When asked about the visa, the department declined to comment on Burhan’s specific case.

Sudan asks the UN to intervene

Sudan’s UN ambassador, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith, appealed to Secretary-General António Guterres after the visa dispute emerged.

In a September 21 letter, the ambassador asked the UN to intervene with U.S. authorities to secure visas for Burhan and members of his delegation.

Sudan argued that preventing its leader from attending the General Assembly would interfere with the country’s participation in the UN’s work.

The UN confirmed that its Secretariat had raised the matter with U.S. authorities.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was “deeply concerned” that the visa had reportedly not been issued.

Why the visa dispute matters at the UN

The dispute involves the 1947 agreement governing the relationship between the United States and the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Under Section 13 of the Headquarters Agreement, when visas are required for people covered by the relevant provisions, they are to be granted without charge and as promptly as possible.

The agreement also provides protections concerning the travel of representatives to and from the UN headquarters district.

The issue of visa delays and denials for representatives of UN member states is not entirely new.

A UN General Assembly committee report from 2025 expressed concern about cases involving non-issuance, delayed issuance and revocation of entry visas for representatives participating in UN activities.

US says Sudan’s rival military leaders do not represent legitimate constitutional government

The visa dispute comes alongside a tougher U.S. position toward both major armed factions involved in Sudan’s war.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on September 22 that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), nor their respective leaders, represent legitimate constitutional governance for Sudan.

The State Department said Washington wanted an immediate humanitarian truce followed by an inclusive political dialogue leading to civilian government.

It also said the United States would seek to increase pressure on parties and networks contributing to the continuation of the conflict.

Burhan has led Sudan’s army during the civil war

Burhan is the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces and has been Sudan’s de facto leader since 2019.

He and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, were initially political and military partners before their relationship deteriorated.

The two forces have been fighting since April 2023.

The conflict has produced a major humanitarian crisis involving displacement, food insecurity and widespread civilian suffering.

Burhan has previously addressed the UN General Assembly on Sudan’s behalf since the outbreak of the war.

Sudan’s foreign minister may address the UN instead

Because of the visa dispute, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salem is expected to represent Sudan at the General Assembly if Burhan does not travel to New York.

Reuters reported that Burhan had postponed his trip while the visa issue remained unresolved.

Sudanese officials have continued to press for the visa to be issued.

US and Sudan relations remain strained

The visa dispute adds another point of tension between Washington and Sudan’s military leadership.

The United States has previously imposed sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals connected to Sudan’s conflict.

Washington has also been involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and opening a path toward a political settlement.

The current disagreement comes as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates continue diplomatic efforts relating to Sudan’s war.

What the US visa decision means

The immediate consequence is that Burhan’s planned in-person appearance at the UN General Assembly is in doubt unless the visa issue is resolved.

The case also highlights the unusual position of the United States as both the host country of the UN headquarters and the country responsible for issuing entry visas to foreign representatives travelling to New York.

The UN has urged the United States to address the matter in accordance with its obligations under the Headquarters Agreement.

At the same time, Washington has maintained that neither of Sudan’s two main warring military factions represents legitimate constitutional governance and has called for an immediate humanitarian truce and a civilian-led political transition.

The visa dispute remains unresolved

As of September 23, 2026, public reporting indicates that Burhan had not received the U.S. visa required for his planned UN appearance.

The reported connection between the visa and the proposed 90-day ceasefire comes from diplomatic and other sources cited by Reuters. The U.S. government has not publicly confirmed that the visa was formally conditioned on acceptance of the ceasefire.

The UN Secretariat says it is continuing to engage with U.S. authorities over the matter. Meanwhile, Sudan has asked the UN to intervene after the US reportedly withheld Burhan’s visa ahead of his UN address

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