Русский
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been in New York attending the annual UN General Assembly. During the UN events, several other bilateral meetings were held as numerous countries wish to discuss current affairs with Moscow. Lavrov subsequently met with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Supreme (Sovereignty) Council of Sudan.
Sudan is currently engaged in a civil war between two opposing forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conversation focused on the developments in Sudan in the context of the continuing armed confrontation between the country’s regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Russian delegates stressed the need to stop the hostilities and launch a broad national dialogue as quickly as possible. Sudanese fighters have also been involved in Yemen. Part of the conflict revolves around decisions as to whether Sudan should be a secular, or Islamic State. Burhan (SAF) favours the secular nature of government and prefers freedom of choice in matters of religion in the country.
The meeting’s agenda also covered matters related to further expanding Russia-Sudan relations and building on their tradition of maintaining friendly ties. The two parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to proactively coordinating their positions within the United Nations – meaning Russia is counting on Sudan’s political support and vice-versa.
Russia’s interest in Sudan goes much further than politics and trade. Prior to the Sudanese civil war, Russia had been looking at establishing a naval base at Port Sudan, although those plans are currently suspended.
Russia is slowly moving towards supporting the SAF in Sudan’s conflict, as it regards the more Islamic RSF as potentially troublesome. However, the RSF are close to Saudi Arabia, with Russia needing to be politically skilled in dealing with these relationships as it does not want to be seen to irritate Riyadh.
In doing so however, Moscow has also been entertaining Burhan, who attended the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in St.Petersburg and held discussions with Vladimir Putin. Following this, Russia appears to have been arming the SAF and are set to sign a series of military and economic agreements, including the establishment of a proposed Russian naval logistical support centre, rather than a full military base on the Red Sea. That downgrading of plans for Port Sudan is also less of a problem for Saudi Arabia.
Sudan meanwhile has suggested expanding the bilateral cooperation to include economic aspects such as agricultural ventures, mining partnerships, and port development, which Russia has apparently agreed to. However, the Sudan civil war needs to be resolved first.
Further Reading
Russia To Open Embassies in Sierra Leone, Niger, & South Sudan: The Implications
