UN Envoy Haavisto Presses Burhan, PM Idris on De-escalation and Prisoner Exchange in Khartoum Talks

UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Sudan Pekka Haavisto held a series of meetings in Khartoum on Sunday, September 6, 2026 with Sovereignty Council chairman and army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Prime Minister Kamil Idris, and Finance Minister/JEM leader Jibril Ibrahim, conveying 'important messages regarding de-escalation and the protection of civilians' and saying 'dialogue is the path to achieving sustainable peace and a comprehensive ceasefire.' Haavisto said he looked forward to continuing meetings toward an exchange of prisoners and civilian detainees in cooperation with the ICRC. Sudanese officials stressed national sovereignty; Jibril Ibrahim rejected proposals to expand the Darfur arms embargo to all of Sudan as a violation of sovereignty. A Quintet delegation (African Union, EU, IGAD, Arab League, UN) was expected in Khartoum on September 8 for follow-on political consultations.