The military authorities in power in Sudan have already concluded their analysis of the agreement to build a Russian naval base in the Red Sea, having stated that, from a military point of view, everything is approved.
“They answered all our concerns, the deal is ‘fine’ from a military point of view,” said one of the two military officers who spoke to the Bloomberg financial reporting agency on condition of anonymity.
According to these officials, the agreement is finalized and is awaiting the formation of a civilian government and a legislative body to be ratified, before entering into force.
In recent days, Russia has responded positively to some of the aspects that the Sudanese wanted to see included in the deal allowing for the construction and operation of a naval base in the Red Sea, including the provision of more weapons and military equipment.
The military contacted by Bloomberg gave no further details about the agreement, which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday only needed ratification by Sudan.
This African country has been without a parliament since a military-led popular uprising toppled former dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, and has been in political chaos since a military coup in October 2021 halted the transition to democracy.
The agreement between Sudan and Russia became known in December 2021, and is part of Moscow’s efforts to regain a regular naval presence in various parts of the world.
The deal to build and operate a naval base in the Red Sea would allow Russia to have up to 300 Russian soldiers, while simultaneously keeping up to four ships, including nuclear-powered, in Sudan’s strategic Red Sea port.
According to former military chief Viktor Bondarev, the base would ensure Russia’s military presence in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean and make long journeys to reach the region unnecessary.
In exchange, Russia will provide weapons and military equipment for the next 25 years, with automatic 10-year extensions if both sides agree.
In June 2021, Sudan’s military chief, General Mohammed Othman al-Hussein, told local television that Khartoum was going to review the deal, and then in February last year there were meetings between the Russian authorities and the powerful leader of paramilitary forces, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.
Returning from a week in Russia, the general said the country has no objection to Russia or any other country having a naval base in the country as it does not pose a threat to Sudan’s national security: “If any country wants to open a base and it is in our interest and it does not threaten our national security, we do not have any problem with anyone, Russian or not,” he said.
Source: TSF
