Sudan to sign multi-faceted deal with Russia that includes naval base

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
31 May 2024 16:14
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Sudanese authorities proposed wide-range cooperation with Russian officials that encompasses sectors of the economy, agriculture, maritime, mining, and port development.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, and Sudanese acting Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq give a joint press conference at the airport in Khartoum, Sudan, February 9, 2023. (AP)

Member of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sundanese Armed Forces (SAF) Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta said that Russia promised to militarily support Sudan in exchange for a permanent Naval Base on the Red Sea.

Al-Atta spoke to Al Hadath TV and revealed that Russia proposed military cooperation with Sudan via a logistical support center rather than a military base in exchange for urgent weapons and munitions supplies to the SAF.

However, Sudanese authorities proposed wider-range cooperation that encompasses sectors of the economy, agriculture, maritime, mining, and port development.

In turn, Russia agreed to the Sudanese counter-proposal, according to the Sudanese official.

Sudanese Armed Forces race to procure weapons

Earlier, another member of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Bahri Ibrahim, held a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Sudan, Andrei Chernovo, in which they discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries. The meeting came as a result of the continuation of the visit of the Russian Special Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, to Sudan.

Bogdanov said that Russia recognizes the Transitional Sovereignty Council to be the legitimate representative of the Sudanese people. The diplomat's remarks are a clear indication of Moscow's alignment in the conflict in Sudan, following months of infighting between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Both sides have rallied regional and international support, as the conflict drags on with no resolution in sight. The procurement of weapons has become essential to both sides, with the SAF signing multiple agreements with countries to secure necessary weapons and munitions, including advanced technologies that award it the edge over the RSF.

It is worth noting that most of the fighting is taking place inside Sudan's cities and towns, making operations extremely difficult and dangerous for civilians who suffer the most in this conflict.