Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has rejected international pressure for a truce and vowed to continue fighting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Speaking at Khartoum Stadium on Saturday, Burhan also dismissed the dispute over his US visa. The issue prevented him from attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“We do not want a visa to any country, nor do we want their permission, nor do we want anything,” Burhan said, according to Sudan Tribune.
His remarks came as international efforts continue to secure a humanitarian pause in Sudan’s war.
Burhan rejects pressure for Sudan truce
Burhan said his forces would continue their military campaign against the RSF.
He also rejected concessions and said the military leadership would not retreat from its position.
“Our goal is to eliminate this militia, no matter the cost,” Burhan said, referring to the RSF, according to Sudan Tribune.
He also pledged to pursue the group into areas it controls, including Darfur.
The comments indicate that Burhan remains committed to pursuing the war despite international efforts to secure a pause in the fighting.
US visa dispute linked to ceasefire proposal
Burhan had been expected to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. However, he did not receive a US visa in time for the gathering.
Reuters reported that two sources said the visa appeared to be linked to Burhan accepting a proposed 90-day ceasefire.
The proposal was put forward by US adviser Massad Boulos.
However, Washington had not publicly confirmed that Burhan’s visa was formally conditional on accepting the ceasefire proposal.
Sudan’s representative to the United Nations had previously asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to press Washington over the visa issue.
Burhan nevertheless dismissed the significance of the dispute during his latest speech.
Chemical weapons allegations remain disputed
Burhan’s remarks come as Sudan’s army-aligned authorities face scrutiny over alleged chemical weapons use.
In May 2025, the United States announced that it had determined Sudan’s government used chemical weapons in 2024.
That determination resulted in sanctions under US chemical and biological weapons legislation.
The United States announced further sanctions in 2026. Boulos also raised the chemical weapons issue at the UN Security Council.
Sudanese authorities have rejected the accusations and said Washington has not provided sufficient evidence.
US officials have maintained their determination and called for Sudan to cooperate with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The allegations remain disputed. The US determination should also be distinguished from an independent finding by an international investigative body.
UN investigators documented abuses by both sides
The chemical weapons allegations come amid wider scrutiny of conduct during Sudan’s war.
A UN-mandated fact-finding mission reported in 2025 that both Sudan’s regular armed forces and the RSF had deliberately targeted civilians and committed violations amounting to war crimes.
The mission documented serious allegations involving Sudan’s regular armed forces and allied forces, including killings and abuses in detention.
It also documented extensive crimes by the RSF, including acts that investigators said amounted to crimes against humanity.
The findings have increased calls for accountability for abuses committed across the conflict.
The army-aligned authorities have not granted the UN fact-finding mission access to Sudan.
This month, mission chairman Mohamed Chande Othman said investigators were prepared to examine credible allegations concerning the alleged use of chemical weapons.
His remarks indicated a willingness to investigate the allegations. They did not amount to a UN determination that chemical weapons had been used.
Burhan signals no retreat from military campaign
At Saturday’s gathering, Burhan praised troops fighting on the front lines.
He also praised young people supporting the military campaign on social media and said the leadership would not back down.
His remarks offered no indication that the army leadership was preparing to accept the proposed pause.
Instead, Burhan reaffirmed his intention to continue the military campaign against the RSF as international pressure for a ceasefire and scrutiny of alleged abuses continue.