A senior adviser to US President Donald Trump met Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Egypt over the weekend, marking a rare high-level encounter as Washington intensifies efforts to secure a ceasefire and political settlement to Sudan’s war.
US Senior Adviser for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos said on Monday that the talks focused on efforts by Washington, Egypt and other regional and international partners to advance a political solution.
“We also reaffirmed the United States’ continued efforts, alongside our Egyptian partners and our other regional and international partners and allies, to advance a political solution to the crisis,” Boulos said in a post on X.
The meeting comes less than two weeks after the United States withheld a visa from Burhan ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a move Sudanese and other sources linked to Washington’s pressure on the army leadership to accept a US-backed humanitarian ceasefire proposal.
Burhan ultimately missed the UN gathering, with the army-aligned Port Sudan authorities sending Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem to head their delegation instead.
Boulos has previously said Washington’s contacts with Burhan and other military leaders should not be interpreted as recognition of the Port Sudan administration.
The US State Department said last month that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the Rapid Support Forces, and neither of their leaders, represented legitimate constitutional governance in Sudan.
“The United States stands ready to support all efforts leading to a comprehensive dialogue among the Sudanese political forces, leading to a preliminary road map of the future of Sudan,” Boulos said following the Egypt meeting.
Washington has been pressing the parties toward an immediate humanitarian truce followed by negotiations aimed at a permanent ceasefire and a civilian-led political process.
The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF erupted in April 2023 following tensions over the country’s proposed political transition and the integration of rival armed forces.
More than 14 million people have been displaced during the conflict, which has triggered famine conditions, widespread destruction and mass civilian casualties.
Washington has accused the RSF and SAF of war crimes. Both sides have rejected accusations of abuses.
The latest meeting suggests Washington is maintaining direct contact with Burhan despite escalating diplomatic pressure on the army leadership over the proposed ceasefire and the future political structure of Sudan.
