Sudan’s army-aligned government rejected an invitation to an east African summit and criticized the United Nations for engaging with paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The army has been losing territory to Daglo’s forces. The rejection of the summit invitation from the east African bloc IGAD reflects Sudan’s stance that the conflict is an internal matter. Meanwhile, Daglo, with growing diplomatic status, accepted the IGAD invitation, leading to tensions. The UN’s engagement with Daglo drew criticism from Sudan’s government, accusing the international body of legitimizing a leader associated with alleged atrocities. The conflict has claimed over 13,000 lives, with millions displaced.