Sudan army chief, international envoys discuss peace efforts
September 9, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met on Wednesday with envoys representing a five-member international mediation group to discuss steps toward ending the country’s civil war, officials said.
The delegation, which includes representatives from the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the Arab League, and the East African regional bloc IGAD, also held separate talks with Prime Minister Kamil Idris and civilian committee members preparing for an internal dialogue.
The diplomatic push aims to forge a credible political track to halt fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and pave the way for a return to civilian democratic rule.
A statement from the military-led Sovereign Council said Burhan briefed the envoys at the Republican Palace on recent developments across the country and discussed prospects for a political settlement.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the head of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, described the discussions as constructive. He said the visit sought to align international diplomatic efforts with domestic peace initiatives.
Ibn Chambas said the envoys believe collective diplomacy can advance an inclusive process leading to a transition to an elected government.
He stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict and urged immediate, tangible measures to protect civilians and halt hostilities. The envoys reiterated their commitment to Sudan’s territorial integrity and opposed the creation of parallel governing authorities, he added.
In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Idris denied claims that the military had deployed chemical weapons in its battle against the RSF, calling the reports false, according to an official statement.
Idris also rejected portrayals of the conflict as merely a contest between two rival generals, as well as claims that the government is under Islamist influence, attributing the narratives to the paramilitary group and its allies.
The RSF has been battling the regular army for control of the country, triggering one of the world’s worst displacement and humanitarian emergencies.
Idris told the delegation that the government remains committed to supporting a comprehensive Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue and implementing its findings, welcoming cooperation with the quintet to help end the conflict.
The envoys said they were prepared to help the preparatory committee facilitate the dialogue while upholding Sudan’s sovereignty.
Osman Mirghani, spokesman for the preparatory committee, called their separate session with the international envoys productive.
Mirghani said the committee briefed envoys on its strategy to bring diverse political and social factions into negotiations. The envoys raised questions over safety guarantees for participants, he said, with both sides emphasizing the need to include women, youth, and displaced populations in the talks.