Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain
A naval base deal that has been more than five years in the making has gained renewed attention after statements from Sudan’s foreign minister while in Moscow.
An understanding has been reached between Sudan and Russia regarding the establishment of a Russian naval base in Port Sudan, according to Sudan's foreign minister, yet the base will face significant logistical and political hurdles as Sudan's civil war continues and foreign-backed paramilitary groups still control wide swaths of Sudanese territory.
What happened: Last Wednesday, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow, where the two “reached an understanding on the agreement regarding the Russian naval base,” Yusuf told reporters at a post-meeting press conference. In an interview with Russia Today later that same day, he doubled down on his previous statements, saying all that remains in the naval base deal is its ratification and that “there are no obstacles. We are in complete agreement.”
According to Russian official news agency TASS, the agreement, signed Dec. 1, 2020, includes:
- A naval logistics base in Port Sudan for a period of 25 years.
- A maximum of four warships allowed at the base, including "naval ships with the nuclear propulsion system."
- Up to 300 Russian personnel stationed at the base.
- The right to transport weapons, ammunition and equipment for the base via Sudan's airports and ports.
TASS added that the terms of the agreement outline that the base is “defensive” and “not aimed at other countries.” In return, Russia would provide Sudan with weapons and military equipment as well as training for the Sudanese military.
