Sudan military leadership faces U.S. legitimacy challenge amid regional diplomatic shifts

The United States has stated that Sudan’s rival military factions lack a legitimate or constitutional mandate to govern, citing their failure to present a viable plan to end the ongoing conflict. This position follows the U.S. decision to deny a visa to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for the United Nations General Assembly due to alleged crimes committed during the war.

While Washington has rejected the legitimacy of the current military leadership, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently spoke with al-Burhan via telephone. During the call, the Crown Prince expressed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Sudan’s stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, supporting efforts to facilitate the return of displaced persons.

The war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in mid-April 2023, has resulted in an estimated 200,000 deaths. According to the United Nations, the conflict has displaced more than 14 million people and left over 30 million individuals suffering.