Sudan’s de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has threatened to expel the United Nations’ special representative, Volker Perthes, accusing him of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.
Perthes, in a briefing to the UN Security Council earlier in the week, warned that Sudan risked “an economic and security collapse” unless its civilian-led transition—disrupted by Burhan’s 2021 military coup—was restored.
UN Envoy’s Concerns
Perthes highlighted worsening conditions in Sudan, citing:
- Rising crime and lawlessness
- Killings of anti-coup protesters
- Violence against women by security forces
- Increased targeting of activists
He urged Sudan’s leaders to return to dialogue and restore civilian rule.
Sudanese Military’s Response
In a statement, Burhan cautioned Perthes to “stop overstepping” the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), warning that continued interference could lead to his expulsion.
The military also urged both the UN and the African Union (AU) to “facilitate dialogue among Sudanese and avoid overstepping their mandate.”
Allegations of Bias
Sudan’s army-aligned media joined the criticism. The armed forces’ newspaper editor, Ibrahim al-Houri, accused UNITAMS of failing to remain neutral.
UNITAMS, however, rejected the charge, stating it was “not neutral with regard to its commitment to protect human rights, freedoms and democracy.”
Protests and International Support
Sudan has faced regular mass protests since the coup, with violent crackdowns by security forces leaving 93 dead, according to medical groups.
Perthes confirmed that UNITAMS, the AU, and regional bodies had launched joint efforts to facilitate Sudanese-led talks.
The Friends of Sudan—a coalition including the United States, Britain, and the European Union—expressed support for the restoration of a civilian-led transition, saying it would unlock much-needed economic aid and debt relief.
