Sudan Rejects US Remarks on Legitimacy of Warring Authorities

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry rejected U.S. remarks questioning the legitimacy of the country’s warring authorities, calling on Washington to respect Sudanese sovereignty and engage with its government. The response followed a State Department statement that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the Rapid Support Forces, or their leaders, represents legitimate constitutional governance for Sudan. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott made the remarks on Tuesday, saying the conduct of the leaders of both factions rendered them ineligible to govern. He said Washington sought to restore peace and return power to the Sudanese people. The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that it strongly rejected the statement and argued that lasting peace efforts must respect Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity and national institutions. The diplomatic dispute coincides with uncertainty over whether army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan would attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Reports citing unnamed sources said Washington withheld a visa for al-Burhan and made his attendance conditional on accepting a proposed 90-day ceasefire.