Following talks in Moscow, Russia and Sudan have agreed to establish a Russian naval base in Port Sudan. The base, which has been in development for years, faces no obstacles according to officials. This move comes after Russia lost access to its Tartus naval base in Syria. Russia has historically strong ties with Sudan in politics, economics, and defense, and has supported Sudan's military government through the Wagner Group.
The Russian navy will create a naval base in Sudan following talks in Moscow between Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and Sudan ese Foreign Minister Ali Yusef Sharif on February 12.The naval base , which has been in the works for years, may come to fruition as 'there are no obstacles' and Russia and Sudan are 'in complete agreement,' according to Reuters.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry and Sudan's Embassy in the U.K. for comment via email.Why It MattersRussia's efforts to establish a naval base on the coast of the Red Sea have increased after their recent loss of the Tartus naval base in Syria following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad. The base had been integral to Moscow's operations in the Mediterranean, as it was Russia's only fueling spot in the region and allowed them to exert power near Africa.Sudan and Russia have historically had a strong relationship in terms of politics, the economy and defense. Since the Sudan civil war began in the spring of 2023, Russia has supported two forces utilized by the current military government, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan Armed Forces, through the Wagner Group, a private military company.What To KnowRussia began talks of establishing the naval base in Port Sudan in 2017 when Assad visited Moscow looking for support for his regime amid domestic tensionsAn agreement to create Moscow's naval base in the Red Sea was signed under former President Omar al-Bashir, and the army generals who overthrew him in 2019 said that the plan was under review. Despite this, a base has not been created. The outbreak of the Sudanese civil war has delayed the project. The port agreement was to last 25 years and was meant to allow Russia to establish a naval logistics hub, with about 300 personnel and nuclear-powered warships, according to BBC News.Sudan rejected Russia's request to construct a naval base on the Red Sea coast in Port Sudan in December 2024 because of concerns over Western backlash. Moscow tried to persuade Khartoum by offering to provide Sudanese authorities with a S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.Speaking of the meeting on Wednesday, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusef Sharif said that discussions of the creation of the naval base are still on the table, and he said that 'In our meeting we did not negotiate the deal...there was a deal signed and there is no disagreement,' with the remaining issue to be settled being ratification. Sharif did not provide any other information about the plans for the military base.Lavrov has not commented on the creation of the base.What People Are SayingAnton Gerashchenko, the former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, on X, formerly Twitter: 'Sudan and Russia agreed 'on everything' regarding creating a Russian naval base in the country - foreign minister of Sudan during his visit to Russia. Russia is solely interested in protecting its own geopolitical interests and exploiting Sudan's resources to profit . This is the essence of Russia's cooperation with other countries: Russia will only think of itself and will not hesitate to betray any partner at any point it deems convenient. Russia had planned to build a naval base in Sudan for a long time. After the fall of Assad's regime in Syria and access to local naval bases as good as lost, Russia has intensified contacts with Sudan on this matter.'Ulf Laessing, the head of Sahel Program at KAS Africa, a think tank, on X: 'I think with Russia's naval base at Port Sudan it's best to believe when you see it. For a start, why should Burhan agree as his battlefield fortunes are improving - would make more sense to make Moscow wait to extract more military assistance.'Obviously if true this would be huge Russia win. Setting up new Africa hub on southern Libya, maybe the Africa Corps on Chad and then a Port Sudan naval base to make up for the possible lose of bases in Syria, through which Wagner logistics had been routed until Assad's fall.'What Happens NextIt is unknown when the agreement between Russia and Sudan will be ratified, and when construction for the new Russian naval base in Sudan will begin.
RUSSIA SUDAN NAVAL BASE PORT SUDAN RED SEA WAGEN GROUP SYRIA TARUS POLITICS MILITARY
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