Peacekeeping and dividing: The US intervention in Sudan takes a familiar path

From visa bans to 90-day ceasefires, Washington’s attempt to coerce both sides risks permanently dividing Sudan between the army and the RSF At the end of September, the US refused to issue a visa to Sudanese Armed Forces leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, just days before his scheduled speech at the UN General Assembly in New York City.

According to Sudanese sources, the refusal stemmed from al-Burhan’s unwillingness to sign a 90-day ceasefire agreement proposed by Massad Boulos, the senior adviser to the US president on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs.

When civil war broke out in Sudan on April 15, 2023, the US refused to support either side of the conflict.

Washington officially maintained a neutral stance toward both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and pushed for a transfer of power to a civilian-led government.

However, US policy has recently become tougher with regard to the SAF and al-Burhan, who also heads the Transitional Sovereignty Council recognized by most countries.

Besides denying al-Burhan a visa, Washington is also pushing the UN to expand the existing arms embargo (which currently targets only the Darfur region, largely controlled by the RSF) to encompass all of Sudan.

Read more The US has a secret plan for Libya.

It will backfire Visa scandal The US decision to deny al-Burhan a visa drew sharp criticism from the UN and various international observers.

A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, said Guterres is “deeply concerned that a visa has reportedly not yet been issued to the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan.” A few days before the planned trip, Sudan’s permanent representative to the UN, al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Muhammad, sent a letter requesting UN intervention to allow al-Burhan to attend the meeting.

The US State Department, however, declined to comment on the visa controversy.

Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the RSF and their leaders represent the legitimate, constitutional government of Sudan.

“The United States and President Trump stand ready to work with anyone who is a serious partner for peace in Sudan,” Pigott added.

In accordance with the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the US is committed to facilitating visa issuance for representatives of UN member states, including political opponents.

However, the US has frequently deviated from these obligations in practice.