UN chief calls for end to Sudan war, voices regret that Burhan was denied US visa

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the war in Sudan and the suffering of its people, while expressing regret that Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was not issued a visa to attend this week’s UN General Assembly, Anadolu reports.

Guterres made the remarks during a meeting with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, according to Sudan’s state news agency.

He stressed the importance of pursuing dialogue as a means to resolve the conflict and achieve peace in Sudan.

Guterres also praised the Sudanese government’s cooperation in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to people affected by the ongoing war.

He expressed regret over the host country’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the headquarters agreement, which resulted in Burhan not being issued an entry visa to participate in the General Assembly.

Salem, for his part, briefed the UN chief on developments in Sudan and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing cooperation with the UN and its agencies in the humanitarian field.

He also affirmed continued cooperation with the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, as well as international and regional organizations working in humanitarian assistance.

“The government is ready to provide the necessary facilitation to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid, the passage of convoys, and the delivery of relief to people in need across the country,” Salem said.

International media reported Wednesday, citing diplomatic sources, that the US had refused to grant Burhan a visa to enter the US to attend the UN General Assembly.

Sudan has been engulfed in a war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since 2023 that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million others, according to UN and international estimates.