Sudan has confirmed a finalized agreement with Russia to establish a 25-year naval base along its Red Sea coast, with no obstacles remaining aside from ratification. The deal, originally discussed during former President Bashir’s era, was signed by the military that ousted him. However, complications emerged after the country devolved into a civil war in 2023. Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef, speaking alongside Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, emphasized that both parties are in complete agreement. The strategic base will enhance Russia’s military presence in a region where the US, China, and France already operate, especially as Russia seeks to compensate for its lost naval foothold in Syria. This development underscores Russia’s expanding influence in Africa and the critical importance of the Red Sea for global commerce and defense.
Source: FINANCIAL TIMES
