Russia and Sudan Reach Agreement on Red Sea Military Base
Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssif al-Scharif announced the agreement after a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. This is the most promising attempt to seal a deal on a Russian military base in Sudan, following years of negotiations.
The first draft of a general agreement on military cooperation between Russia and Sudan was prepared in 2017 and signed in 2019, after the military coup that overthrew President Omar al-Bashir. However, bureaucratic hurdles and a power struggle in Sudan led to a stalemate.
In 2024, the situation began to change. Russia took steps to demonstrate its support for Sudan’s transitional government, with the visit of Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, to Port Sudan, where he met with the head of Sudan’s provisional sovereign council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. This marked the first explicit demonstration of Moscow’s support for the transitional government.
During this time, rival regional actors have repeatedly tried to discredit the Russian-Sudanese agreements, spreading misinformation about the Sudanese side’s excessive demands on the economic part of the agreement. The secrecy of the compensation part of the agreement has also led to speculation and misinformation.
Sources already indicate that the Russian base in Port Sudan will be a small one, with a personnel strength of 300, capable of supporting up to four ships and will be built from scratch, as the existing port and infrastructure are limited.
The agreement is not just about the maritime component, but also about the strategic location of Port Sudan, which is the only sea access point of Sudan and a crucial trade hub. The base will be a key part of Russia’s overall presence in the region, not just a small military outpost.
The situation in Syria remains unstable and the fate of the Russian base in Tartus remains uncertain. Russia has not held official talks with the new Syrian government and the status of the base is still unclear.
Meanwhile, Russia is exploring alternative options, including the possibility of a new base in the Central African Republic or the Sahel region. Niamey, the capital of Niger, is a potential location, given its central location and existing infrastructure. The Russian military has already used Niamey as a hub for its logistical operations.
The agreement with Sudan, if finalized, would not only strengthen Russia’s naval presence in the region but also solidify its overall presence in the region, from the East Sahel to the Near East. The key is to avoid bureaucratic delays and build on the existing friendly relations with Sudan.