Russia seeks naval base in Sudan’s Red Sea coast

Russia has promised military support for Sudan in return for a naval base in the Red Sea, General Yasirr Al Atta, member of Sudan’s military-led Sovereign Council said.

A series of military and economic deals will be signed, signaling an inroad by Russia in the Horn of Africa, after it managed to strengthen its foothold in the Sahel by offering military support, while taking advantage of rising anti-western sentiment.

Sudan has been mired in a civil war opposing the army to the Rapid Support Force that left nearly half of the country’s 51 million population is in dire need of humanitarian aid.

“Russia proposed military cooperation through a logistical support centre, not a full military base, in return for urgent weapons and ammunition supplies,” Al Atta said in an interview with Alhadath TV.

We agreed to this but suggested expanding the cooperation to include economic aspects like agricultural ventures, mining partnerships, and port development. Russia agreed to this broader scope,” he said.

The UN estimates the death toll since the outbreak of the civil war in Sudan at over 14,000, with no end in sight.