The Sudanese crisis took another turn when Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who commands the country’s army and chairs the Sovereignty Council, signaled a push to change Sudan’s UN representation by nominating António Guterres as the new secretary-general. This update references a letter al-Burhan allegedly sent to the UN chief, a move seen as potentially reshaping the country’s diplomatic engagement on the world stage.
In a written note, al-Burhan contended that the UN mission in Sudan should not be led by Paulina Perthes, arguing that her leadership has impeded the mission’s ability to carry out its duties and may have produced adverse effects on UN operations in the country. He implied that the current special representative has not aligned with Sudanese expectations or the practical needs on the ground.
Al-Burhan expressed the belief that the UN Secretary-General’s special representative may have overlooked the nuanced reality of Sudan’s political landscape, suggesting that there was a disconnect between the publicly stated consensus on a framework agreement and the actual situation on the streets and in settlement talks. The claim was presented as a warning that external messaging could undermine local efforts toward stability.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese Ministry of Defense announced a broader mobilization strategy, including the recall of reservists and officers who are not older than 65. The decision is framed as a readiness measure in response to ongoing tensions and the need to reinforce security and command structures during a period of uncertainty across the conflict zones.
On 20 May, negotiators from the conflicting parties announced a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire. According to briefings, both the Sudanese armed forces and the Emergency Response Forces signed a humanitarian ceasefire agreement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The agreement reportedly comes into force 48 hours after its signing, signaling a pause that could create space for aid deliveries and civilian protection in affected areas. Observers in North America noted that these developments could influence international humanitarian policy and the way Western capitals coordinate relief efforts, particularly when considering the needs of vulnerable populations in Sudan and neighboring regions. The news has been covered by regional and international outlets and is being analyzed for its potential impact on ongoing negotiations and ceasefire enforcement (source attribution: Al Jazeera and other outlets cited in ongoing coverage).