Burhan’s Visit to New York: What Awaits the Sudan War File?

By: Mohamed Al-Menshawy

Despite the prominence of critical issues in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine, Sudan has also imposed itself on the agenda of events associated with the convening of the United Nations General Assembly. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to host a meeting with foreign ministers next Wednesday to draw attention to the Sudanese crisis.

U.S. soil has become a political hub for the ongoing war in Sudan, which has lasted for 17 months. Recently, in Washington, President Joe Biden affirmed that his country “has not abandoned its commitments to the Sudanese people, who deserve freedom, peace, and justice,” calling on both parties to the conflict to “end the violence and stop fueling the conflict.”

Simultaneously, the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Sudanese army leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is arriving in New York to head Sudan’s delegation at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Critical Timing
Biden had called on both sides to return to negotiations to end the ongoing war. In a rare statement issued last Tuesday, he said, “We urge all parties to end this violence and stop fueling it for the future of Sudan and all Sudanese people.”

He added, “I urge the warring parties responsible for the suffering of the Sudanese people – the armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces – to withdraw their troops and allow unhindered humanitarian access.” He stressed that “the Rapid Support Forces’ attacks disproportionately harm civilians,” while urging the military to “halt the random shelling that devastates civilian lives and infrastructure.”

Regarding the significance of the U.S. president’s statement, Ambassador David Shinn, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, noted that its timing is critical, as it comes just before important meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly session.

Shinn told Al Jazeera Net that Sudan will be on the Biden administration’s agenda in New York, including during the president’s meeting with UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in Washington last Monday, ahead of his departure for New York.

In his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart after the conclusion of the U.S.-Egypt strategic dialogue rounds, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “The Rapid Support Forces must take all necessary steps to protect innocent lives and honor their commitment to safeguard civilians.”

He continued, “The Sudanese Armed Forces must halt indiscriminate shelling. Both sides must come together and sit at the negotiation table to implement the agreements reached in Jeddah and stop this brutal war.”

Readiness for Peace
According to Ambassador Shinn, there is always potential for a breakthrough in Sudan’s peace process between now and the end of Biden’s term on January 20, 2025. However, in his view, success will depend on the willingness of the military and the Rapid Support Forces to do the right thing and prioritize the Sudanese people over their own interests.

Burhan is scheduled to deliver a speech before the United Nations General Assembly next Thursday, where he will also meet with numerous world leaders and representatives of international and regional organizations. Commenting on the visit, Shinn said Burhan’s participation proves that he remains the primary leader in Sudan amidst the ongoing war between the army and the “quasi-military” Rapid Support Forces.

Cameron Hudson, the former U.S. special envoy to Sudan under President Barack Obama and currently an expert at the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies, considered this a crucial moment for Burhan and the Sudanese Armed Forces. They now have the opportunity to interact directly with world leaders to present their case on why they should not be treated like the Rapid Support Forces.

According to Hudson, for Washington to make a breakthrough on Sudan, Secretary Blinken and President Biden will need to demonstrate a committed engagement to resolving the conflict. “So far, they have not shown a sufficient level of involvement or determination.”

In a press briefing, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, mentioned several ministerial meetings organized by various countries on Sudan, including the United States.

She stated, “There will be meetings focused on issues such as food security, the protection and role of women, with our special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, participating in several of them. Blinken and I will also take part. We hope not only to shed light on what is happening in Sudan but also to find a way to move closer to achieving peace.”

Urgent Necessity
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) to “act responsibly and immediately order a halt to his forces’ attacks,” according to a statement issued on Monday by spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

Guterres added, “It is unacceptable that the warring parties repeatedly ignore calls to cease hostilities. Any further escalation will also threaten to spread the conflict on sectarian grounds throughout Darfur.” Dujarric stressed that the Secretary-General underscores the urgent necessity of a ceasefire, both in El Fasher and all other conflict zones in Sudan.

Meanwhile, members of the Sudanese NGO Forum called on the international community to increase pressure on the warring parties to facilitate immediate humanitarian access through all possible routes, borders, and frontlines. They demanded the establishment of mechanisms to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from random attacks and the scaling up of funding and initiatives to support widespread community responses to the crisis.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United States, the African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations are organizing a special ministerial event to support the humanitarian response in Sudan. This event will serve as a global call for coordinated action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the country and its impact on the region. It is expected that Burhan will participate in this event.

Source: Al Jazeera