Sudan’s Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim said that a Russian ambition to have presence on the Sudanese coast does not entail a military role.
Speaking to the Russian RT TV Arabic Service, Ibrahim clarified that the discussions primarily focus on Russia’s desire for Red Sea access, rather than purchasing land. He emphasized Sudan’s openness to such partnerships, stating: “The idea is not about military experts or a large base, but rather a service center for Russian ships to obtain supplies.”
He said Sudan “does not object to the Russian presence, but the opposition comes from the West, the US and its allies,” stressing that Sudan’s coast on the Red Sea “can accommodate everyone if the United States wants to buy a similar point.”
Official Sudanese sources had spoken to the media about the existence of a draft agreement between Sudan and Russia that gives Moscow a “military, technical and logistical support center” on the Red Sea coast in the east of the country.
In return, the draft agreement stipulates that Russia will provide the Sudanese army with war equipment, based on a separate protocol. The sources added that the Russian presence should not exceed 300 individuals and four ships, as per the same agreement.
Meanwhile, a statement by the Sudanese Sovereignty Council announced that urgent matters prevented Russian President Vladimir Putin from meeting with the Council’s Vice-President, Malik Agar.
Putin assigned his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, to receive the written message addressed to Putin from the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Sudanese Army, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.
Before heading to Russia on Tuesday, Agar announced that he would meet with Putin and deliver a written message from Al-Burhan. He added that the meeting will discuss that agenda that falls within the framework of developing bilateral relations.
The Sudanese delegation’s trip to Russia came in the wake of the visit made by the Deputy Foreign Minister and Russian President’s envoy to the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, to the city of Port Sudan in April.
During his meeting with Lavrov on Friday, Agar affirmed his country’s readiness to activate the joint political and military agreements and committees between the two countries to draw a roadmap to reach the stage of strategic partnership.
He also emphasized Sudan’s keenness to strengthen, promote and develop bilateral relations with Russia in all strategic, political and economic fields.
For his part, Lavrov pointed to a political will to develop ties, in a way that achieves the common interests of the two countries and peoples.
