Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairperson Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has vowed that the country will not bow to pressure or what he described as “blackmail” following the United States’ decision to withhold his visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York.
Speaking in Khartoum on Saturday, Burhan said Sudan would maintain its position despite the dispute over his planned attendance at the UN gathering.
“Sudan will not respond to any pressure or blackmail, and its voice will remain loud,” he said.
“We will keep our heads high. We will not accept bargaining, sell ourselves cheaply to anyone or bow to anyone,” Burhan added.
He also said Sudan was in “safe hands” and praised young people involved in a health-sector support initiative launched at Khartoum Stadium.
Burhan said the country would continue to raise its flag and name, insisting that Sudanese people could not be intimidated by external pressure.
The US decision prevented Burhan from travelling to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, where he had been scheduled to address world leaders.
Reuters reported that the visa dispute came amid US efforts to secure a 90-day ceasefire between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concern over Burhan’s failure to receive the visa.
The Sudanese government has also rejected a US State Department position that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the RSF and their leaders represent legitimate constitutional governance.
The conflict between the army and RSF has continued since April 2023, triggering a major humanitarian crisis and displacing millions of people.
