R ussia has secured a deal to establish its first naval base in Africa, reinforcing its strategic military presence near one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. The agreement, confirmed by Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef Ahmed al-Sharif during his visit to Moscow, ends years of delays and positions Russia alongside the US and China in the Red Sea region.
The deal provides Sudan’s army with fuel, weapons, and jet parts in exchange for allowing Russia to maintain a naval facility on its coast. This development comes as Moscow scrambles to hold onto its military bases in Syria following the overthrow of its longtime ally, Bashar al-Assad.
The Red Sea is a critical waterway, linking the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean, with approximately 12% of global trade passing through it. Sudan initially proposed hosting a Russian naval base in 2017 under then-President Omar al-Bashir, who was later ousted in a 2019 coup. A formal agreement was signed in 2020, permitting Russia to station up to four navy ships, including nuclear-powered vessels, in Sudan for 25 years.
Despite past delays due to political instability and disagreements over terms, Sudanese officials now confirm that the agreement requires only ratification. The announcement follows Russia’s deepening ties with Sudan’s military after backing different factions during the country’s ongoing civil war. The Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary force, initially supported Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while the Kremlin later shifted its backing to Sudan’s army.
Russia’s strategic move comes amid growing instability in Sudan, where the military has been engaged in a brutal conflict with the RSF since April 2023. The civil war has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and reports of famine spreading across the country.
Moscow’s support for Sudan’s military has been reinforced by diplomatic moves, including a veto at the UN Security Council against a ceasefire resolution. Western nations, particularly the US and UK, have condemned Russia’s stance, accusing it of exacerbating the crisis.
As Russia secures its position in Sudan, questions remain over the long-term impact of the deal. With the Red Sea increasingly becoming a focal point for global military competition, the establishment of a Russian base in Sudan marks a significant geopolitical shift, one that could reshape regional power dynamics for years to come.
 |
| Russian warships during a Navy Day parade in 2020 |
0 Comments