Sudan's military government has reportedly presented Russia with a deal to lease a Sudanese port to Moscow for 25 years in exchange for delivery of advanced weapons at a discounted price. Sudan has remained in turmoil for more than 30 months as a civil war between government forces and rebels continues.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 1st (local time), Sudan's government proposed to Russia in Oct. a deal allowing Moscow to use a Red Sea port as a naval base for 25 years. The two countries first announced an agreement related to building a naval base in Nov. 2020, and the move is seen as adding specific lease terms and provisions on weapons deliveries.
If the deal is concluded, the naval base would be operated by Russian forces, host up to 300 personnel with diplomatic immunity, and accommodate up to four warships at the same time, including nuclear-powered vessels. Russia would also gain priority in mining rights in Sudan, Africa's third-largest gold producer.
In particular, the Sudanese port is adjacent to the Suez Canal, through which 12% of global trade passes, offering an advantage for tracking and monitoring maritime logistics flows between Europe and Asia. The United States and China previously established naval bases in Djibouti in East Africa in 2002 and 2017, respectively, securing positions near the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
In return, Sudan's military government seeks delivery of Russian-made air defense systems and advanced weapons at discounted prices, a proposal seen as driven by the junta's desperation as the civil war drags on. A Sudanese military official said, "An agreement with Russia could worsen relations with the United States and the European Union (EU)," but emphasized, "Weapons supplies are urgent."
In Apr. 2023, a civil war broke out between government forces (SAF) led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and rebels led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leaving about 150,000 people dead and 12 million displaced to date. Civilian casualties have surged and the war has worsened since the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, the last stronghold in the west.
Russia had supported the rebel RSF through the private mercenary group "Wagner Group," but it has reportedly shifted support to the SAF after the RSF recently sought contact with Ukraine.
Mark Hicks, a retired Air Force major general who commanded U.S. special operations forces in Africa, said, "This deal is definitely a good offer for Russian President Vladimir Putin," adding, "Having a base in Africa would give Russia greater international prestige and influence and ultimately strengthen Russia's clout."