US Blocks Sudan Leader's Visa to Address UN Amid Ongoing Conflict
The United States has denied Sudan's de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Burhan was scheduled to address the assembly on Wednesday but now faces uncertainty due to the US decision.
The US State Department said that neither the army nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) represent legitimate governance for Sudan. This stance is at odds with the UN's agreement, which requires the host country not to impose impediments on member state representatives' travel.
Burhan has previously addressed the assembly twice since the war broke out in April 2023. The conflict has resulted in over 200,000 deaths and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. The US has also refused visas to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and some members of Iran's delegation.