The Trump administration has formally stated that neither General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan nor the Rapid Support Forces commander Hemedti are the legitimate national leaders of Sudan.

State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the warring forces had intensified drone and heavy weapons attacks on civilians instead of agreeing to an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire.

The administration is calling for the UN arms embargo to be extended to the whole of Sudan and warned of severe economic and political measures against those fuelling the war.

Washington's stated aim is a transfer of power to the Sudanese people and the formation of a civilian transitional government. The US had offered Burhan a visa on condition that he accept a three-month ceasefire with the RSF.