Malik Agar, the deputy chairman of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council, emphasized Sudan’s interest in reviving an agreement to build a Russian navy hub on the Red Sea during the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. Sudan and Russia have been engaged in discussions on this agreement for several years since a deal was initially reached in 2017 between Sudan’s former president Omar al-Bashir and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite political instability in Sudan preventing the ratification of the contract, recent discussions suggest progress is being made.
In late May, the assistant commander-in-chief of the Sudanese army announced that Sudan and Russia would be signing various military and economic agreements in the near future. This move marks a strategic shift for Russia, which initially supported the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the conflict that erupted last year in Sudan. However, recognizing the need to diversify support and secure access to Port Sudan, which is controlled by Sudanese armed forces, Russia is now seeking a navy base in the region.
In return for the navy presence, Russia has pledged to offer “unrestricted qualitative military aid” to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The SAF has expressed interest in acquiring advanced weaponry from Russia, such as fighter aircraft and air defense missiles. Analysts suggest that Russia’s involvement in Sudan aligns with its broader military strategy across Africa, particularly in light of its operations in Syria and Libya. This move could have implications for Europe, potentially leading to concerns about refugee movements and instability in the region.
Long-term consequences of Russia’s engagement in Africa have prompted discussions on conditioning development aid on military cooperation with Russia. While some countries like France have taken steps in this direction, a unified Western approach on this issue is lacking. Overall, Russia’s growing influence in Sudan and other African nations reflects its broader geopolitical ambitions on the continent.
