al-Burhan presses Saudi Arabia to revive stalled $1.5bn Pakistan arms deal

ALBAWABA- Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s armed forces, arrived in Riyadh on Monday for talks with Mohammed bin Salman, seeking to persuade the kingdom to reconsider its refusal to finance a $1.5 billion Pakistani arms package for Sudan’s military.

The visit comes as Saudi Arabia has increased pressure on Pakistan to cancel the deal, prompting Islamabad to place the agreement on hold. According to Reuters, the package, signed earlier in 2026, includes weapons, fighter jets, drones, and air-defense systems intended to strengthen Sudan’s regular army.

Sudanese officials had viewed the deal as critical in their fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, pits the RSF against the Sudanese Armed Forces in a war that has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 12 million people, and pushed parts of the country into famine.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Jeddah. pic.twitter.com/afdhpLizwi

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) April 20, 2026

What began as a power struggle in Khartoum has evolved into a protracted, proxy-influenced conflict. The army currently controls the capital and eastern regions, while RSF forces dominate much of western Sudan, including Darfur.

Regional divisions have deepened the crisis. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are widely seen as backing Sudan’s army, citing concerns over territorial unity and Red Sea security. 

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has faced repeated accusations from Sudanese officials, independent investigators, and Western diplomats of supporting the RSF with funding, logistics, and arms, allegations Abu Dhabi denies.

United Nations officials have described the conflict as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, warning that external involvement risks prolonging the war and worsening civilian suffering.

Saudi Arabia, which initially positioned itself as a mediator, has increasingly aligned with Cairo while urging restraint to prevent wider regional instability. Burhan’s visit highlights Khartoum’s push to secure Gulf backing for its war effort following the suspension of the Pakistani deal.