The Kremlin has offered weapons to Sudan in exchange for a naval logistics base on the Red Sea, the "Times" newspaper reported, quoted by BNR , citing a Sudanese general.
Russia is supporting both sides in the civil war in Sudan to achieve its ambition for a military base on the Red Sea, writes the "Times". Moscow has agreed to supply weapons to Sudan's state army in exchange for a base along one of the world's busiest sea routes, while continuing to supply its enemies through pro-Kremlin mercenaries. A delegation will travel to Russia this week to finalize a deal on "vital arms and ammunition," says General Yasser al-Atta, deputy commander-in-chief of the Sudanese armed forces.
The deal reflects the scale of foreign intervention in the 13-month conflict that has pushed Sudan's population to the brink of starvation. The strategic gain for Russia will stoke Western concerns about Moscow's growing influence in Africa. Sudan, the third largest country in Africa, is located at the intersection of the Indian Ocean, the Horn of Africa and the Arab world. Al-Ata specifies that the new Russian site will be a logistics center rather than a military base in the classical sense of the term and that there should be no objections to this.
The war in Sudan broke out in 2023 and it is estimated that there may already be 150,000 casualties. Russia has long wanted a Red Sea outpost for its navy and had signed an agreement to open one with Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's former dictator. However, he was ousted in the popular uprising in 2019 and the base was never opened. Russia sees Africa as a weak spot for the West, which it is trying to exploit. Mercenaries from "Wagner" have been operating in Africa for nearly a decade and have stepped up their operations there after being driven out of Ukraine following a failed rebellion last year, the "Times" said.