Sudan’s Burhan accuses US envoy of obstructing peace, serving UAE

November 23, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Sunday rejected a new U.S. proposal presented by White House adviser Massad Boulos, branding it the “worst paper” submitted to date for demanding the dissolution of state security agencies while leaving paramilitary forces intact.

Burhan addressed senior army officers of the rank of major general and above in Khartoum. He was accompanied by his assistants General Yasir Al-Atta and General Ibrahim Jabir, as well as the army chief of staff and his deputies, the deputy directors of the police and General Intelligence Service, and a representative of the Joint Forces.

During the meeting, Burhan warned that if the mediation process continued in this direction, the army would consider it “non-neutral,” accusing the U.S. envoy of attempting to impose dictates on the country.

“The paper presented by the Quad through Massad Boulos… is considered the worst paper to be presented, as it nullifies the existence of the Armed Forces, demands the dissolution of all security agencies, and maintains the rebellious militia in its positions,” Burhan said.

The army chief expressed concern that Boulos would become an obstacle to peace, citing the envoy’s alleged claims that the government was obstructing humanitarian aid and had used chemical weapons.

“We tell him that this paper of yours is unacceptable,” Burhan told the gathering.

He reiterated that no one in Sudan would accept the continued presence of the rebels or their inclusion in any future solution, emphasizing the need to adopt the roadmap previously presented by the Sudanese government.

The Quad—comprising the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates—had previously proposed a roadmap on Sept. 12 to end the conflict in Sudan. That plan called for a humanitarian truce followed by a ceasefire and a political process leading to civilian rule.

UAE role questioned

Burhan further accused Boulos of echoing the rhetoric of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and speaking “with the tongue of the UAE.” He explicitly stated that Sudan would view the “Quad” mediation group as lacking credibility if it included the United Arab Emirates.

“The UAE cannot be accepted as a mediator in the crisis,” Burhan explained, asserting that the world had witnessed Emirati support for the rebels fighting the Sudanese state.

He also addressed concerns raised by Boulos regarding Islamist influence within the military. Burhan dismissed the narrative of “Muslim Brotherhood” control as a “scarecrow” promoted by the UAE to alarm the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Terming the allegation a “blatant lie,” he insisted on the military institution’s ability to reform itself without external interference.

‘Battle for survival’

Turning to the conflict on the ground, Burhan described the RSF, led by the Daglo family, as a “terrorist militia” responsible for genocide and ethnic cleansing. He criticized foreign nations and political groups that continue to support the paramilitary force.

“We are not warmongers and do not reject peace, but no one can threaten us or dictate conditions to us,” Burhan said.

He vowed to reclaim territory in Kordofan and Darfur, characterizing the war as a “Battle of Dignity” and a fight for Sudan’s survival. “We will expel them from this Sudan,” he added.

Burhan concluded with a direct appeal to tribal leaders allied with RSF second-in-command Abdelrahim Daglo, urging them to listen to reason and withdraw their sons from the “holocaust” of the war to prevent further loss of life.