US senior adviser meets Sudan’s Burhan in Egypt amid strained ties
October 5, 2026 (CAIRO) – Massad Boulos, senior adviser to the U.S. president on African affairs, met with Sudan’s Sovereign Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Sunday in Egypt, seeking to advance diplomatic efforts to end the country’s civil conflict despite strained relations between Washington and Khartoum.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of African coordination talks hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the coastal city of New Alamein, where regional leaders gathered to address security challenges.
Boulos said in a post on social media platform X on Monday that he attended a lunch hosted by Sisi alongside Burhan, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
The encounter follows recent diplomatic friction after Washington denied Burhan entry into the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Earlier in September, Boulos stated that the United States does not recognize the legitimacy of military rule in Sudan and engages with it strictly as a de facto authority.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott reiterated that stance on Sept. 22, declaring that the actions of the two warring generals have disqualified them from leadership, adding that neither party represents constitutional rule and both govern solely by force of arms. Washington has criticized both sides for failing to commit to a ceasefire while escalating drone strikes that kill civilians.
Despite the tensions, Boulos said Washington remains determined to work with Egypt and regional allies to push for a political settlement, halt hostilities, and ease humanitarian suffering, following directives from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The U.S. adviser stressed that these diplomatic efforts aim to help Sudan restore security, begin reconstruction, and transition toward a civilian-led government through an inclusive, Sudanese-owned national dialogue.
Washington remains ready to support initial roadmaps agreed upon by Sudanese political forces and urged all stakeholders to engage constructively with international partners to secure peace.
The Sudanese government did not issue a statement on the meeting.