Sudan's Burhan rejects truce, ceasefire until rebels withdraw
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said that those who urged the government to yield should instead advise militia fighters to surrender.
Chairperson of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al Burhan has ruled out any truce or ceasefire with rebel forces as long as they remain on Sudanese territory, insisting that peace can only follow the restoration of full state control, state media Sudan News Agency reports.
“Sudan will not accept a truce or a ceasefire so long as the rebel militia remains on any inch of the country,” al-Burhan said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Sudanese and Turkish community leaders, civil society representatives, and media figures at the Sudanese Embassy in Ankara on Sunday, December 28.
Al Burhan said the peace initiative presented by Prime Minister Kamil Idris at the United Nations in New York represents a unified government vision for ending the crisis. He explained that the plan has been endorsed by both the Sovereignty Council and the Council of Ministers, with further discussions scheduled within the Security and Defence Council to ensure its adoption across state institutions.
‘Not advocates of war’
“This is a Government of Sudan initiative,” he said, describing it as “the sole initiative capable of meeting the aspirations of the Sudanese people.”
Despite his stance, al Burhan stressed that the government does not seek prolonged conflict. “We are not advocates of war,” he said.
He reiterated his confidence in the Sudanese Armed Forces and called on those who previously urged compromise with militia fighters to shift their message. “Those who called on us to yield should now advise the militia to surrender,” he said.
Turning to regional dynamics, al Burhan said Sudan trusts the intentions of Saudi Arabia and Egypt and believes both countries can play a constructive role in resolving the crisis and sustaining future peace.
‘Not the aggressor’
“Sudan has never been an aggressor against any neighbouring country,” he said, while acknowledging the regional impact of the war. “We are aware of troop build-ups here and there, and Sudan is not a weak state.” He added that Khartoum reserves the right to defend itself.
Al Burhan also hailed 'historic, fraternal' relations with Türkiye, describing Sudanese-Turkish ties as entering a “strategic, forward-looking partnership”.
Last Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abdel Fattah al Burhan discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.