Exclusive: Burhan slams US envoy, rejects UAE role in Sudan mediation
Speaking to a high-level military meeting, the details of which were obtained by Al Mayadeen, al-Burhan rejects the Quad's proposal, accusing the UAE of backing Sudan rebels, and slamming US envoy Boulos.
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Sudan's military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan center, is greeted by troops as he arrives at the Republican Palace, recently recaptured from the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, in Khartoum, Sudan, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo)
Al Mayadeen has obtained exclusive details of a critical meeting led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in which he delivered unusually direct remarks that analysts say marked an unprecedented level of clarity on Sudan's position.
Al Mayadeen's private source noted that al-Burhan intended to send a pointed message to the US administration, which has been pushing the Quad mediation proposal through President Donald Trump's advisor for African affairs, Massad Boulos.
According to the source, the meeting was attended by senior officers at the rank of major general and above.
Rejection of UAE role in mediation
Al-Burhan categorically rejected any UAE participation in the Quad initiative, stating that if Abu Dhabi is part of the group, Sudan cannot consider it neutral. "The whole world has witnessed that the UAE is the party supporting the rebels against the Sudanese state," he said.
Additionally, he dismissed claims by Boulos about alleged Muslim Brotherhood presence within the Sudanese army as mirroring UAE propaganda.
Al-Burhan labeled the allegations a "scarecrow" designed to influence the US, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, insisting the claim is entirely false and that the military is fully capable of self-reform.
Strong stance against RSF
The commander described the "Dagalo militia" as a terrorist force guilty of killing civilians, robbery, genocide, and ethnic cleansing, noting it enjoys support from several foreign countries. "We are not advocates of war, nor do we reject peace, but no one can threaten us or dictate terms to us," al-Burhan declared.
He reaffirmed the army's determination to recapture all territories seized by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Kordofan and Darfur, describing the "Battle of Dignity" as a fight for national survival without external interference.
Al-Burhan emphasized the Armed Forces are not fighting tribes but specifically the rebels, urging tribal leaders backing Dagalo to spare their sons from this "burning furnace."
Saudi initiative welcomed
In contrast to his rejection of the Quad proposal, al-Burhan praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's mediation efforts, saying his recent discussion with President Trump had clarified the true situation in Sudan. He described the Saudi initiative as "the voice of truth and the voice of the region," particularly given Red Sea security concerns.
Al-Burhan revealed that Sudan submitted its own roadmap to the Quad and allied nations, outlining conditions for any ceasefire: RSF withdrawal from all areas seized since the Jeddah Agreement, including Zalingei, Geneina, el-Fasher, and Nyala, followed by cantonment in designated zones, return of displaced persons, and Sudanese-led dialogue on the country's future.
Sharp criticism of Boulos
He called the Quad paper delivered through Boulos "the worst proposal ever submitted," saying it effectively eliminates the Armed Forces, calls for dissolving security institutions, and leaves the RSF in place. "If the mediation continues in this direction, Sudan will consider it biased," he warned.
Al-Burhan accused Boulos of acting as though he were imposing diktats on Sudan. "We fear that Massad Boulos may become an obstacle to the peace that all Sudanese seek," he said. "We tell him that this paper is unacceptable," adding that the Sudanese Government's roadmap must be adopted instead.
He further charged Boulos with making unfounded allegations that the government obstructs humanitarian aid and uses chemical weapons. Al-Burhan said these statements merely echo "the propaganda of Sumoud and Ta'sis and the militia [RSF]" and that Boulos "speaks with the voice of the UAE" while attempting to dictate Sudan's political future, a matter he emphasized is strictly a Sudanese affair.
No compromise on unity
In his closing remarks, Burhan emphasized that national unity is essential against what he called a direct attack on the Sudanese state. Rejecting "half-solutions" that he said amount to partition, he declared: "No one can impose [former Prime Minister] Hamdok or Hemedti on us."
He further dismissed allegations that the government obstructs humanitarian aid as scare tactics, and criticized the international community's failure to enforce UN Security Council resolutions requiring the RSF to lift the siege of el-Fasher.