Sudan’s military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met United Nations envoy Pekka Haavisto on Sunday, September 6, to discuss a possible detainee exchange, civilian protection and efforts to de-escalate the country’s civil war.
Mr Haavisto arrived in Khartoum on Friday, September 4, for his third mission since assuming office in March 2026. His meeting with Mr Burhan followed talks with Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo on reducing hostilities.
The envoy said the UN, working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, was seeking the release of prisoners of war and civilians held arbitrarily. The UN intensified its prisoner-exchange efforts in June 2026.
Mr Haavisto also raised concerns about separate secondary school examinations conducted in June 2026 by the RSF-aligned Founding Alliance in areas outside army control. He called for a unified examination system supported by UNICEF to protect students’ qualifications.
Prime Minister Kamil Idris pledged Sudan’s cooperation with the UN but warned against external interference in the country’s sovereignty. Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim separately rejected proposals to extend the Darfur arms embargo across Sudan, arguing that such a move would undermine the military’s ability to defend the state.