Omanghana
Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has written to US President Donald Trump reaffirming his willingness to support American-led peace efforts, amid continued disagreements over a proposed humanitarian ceasefire.
Burhan announced the communication on Thursday, October 15, saying his government was prepared to engage with all parties to secure a lasting settlement that protects Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and the dignity of its people.
Separately, The Africa Report reported that the letter proposed a Saudi-backed approach to stalled ceasefire negotiations and offered access to Sudan’s mineral resources as an incentive for US engagement. Those reported commercial elements were not detailed in Burhan’s public statement, which focused on his commitment to peace.
The diplomatic overture comes as Washington works with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt through the Quad mechanism to end the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The United States has proposed an unconditional 90-day humanitarian truce to allow assistance to reach affected communities. Sudan’s military leadership has opposed the proposal, leaving significant differences between the army and international mediators.
Relations between Burhan and Washington deteriorated further in September when the United States declined to issue him a visa to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Reports linked that decision to his position on the ceasefire initiative.
Despite the tensions, diplomatic contact has continued, reported that Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, met Burhan in early October through Egyptian mediation.
Sudanese officials told Al Jazeera that the message to Trump followed efforts by friendly governments to ease tensions between Khartoum and Washington and keep diplomatic channels open.
The war began in April 2023 after a power struggle between the army and the RSF erupted into fighting in Khartoum and spread across the country. It has displaced millions, devastated infrastructure and deepened Sudan’s humanitarian emergency.
Burhan’s announcement signals renewed engagement with Washington, but it does not establish that the military has accepted the proposed truce or that an agreement on mineral access has been reached.
Source: Omanghana
