Final agreement between Sudan and Russia for a naval base in the Red Sea

A relaunched project in a tense geopolitical context

Sudan and Russia have reached a “final agreement” on the establishment of a Russian naval base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast. The announcement was made at a joint press conference in Moscow by Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Ali Youssif affirmed that the two countries were “in complete agreement” and that there were no obstacles in the way of the project. Lavrov, for his part, welcomed the development of bilateral relations and affirmed Russia’s willingness to participate in Sudan’s reconstruction efforts.

A long-standing initiative, suspended then relaunched

The project for this base dates back to 2017, under the presidency of Omar El-Béchir. An agreement was signed granting Moscow a 25-year lease to build a naval base in Port Sudan, the country’s main port. This base was to accommodate up to 300 soldiers and 4 warships.

However, the project was suspended in 2019 after the fall of El-Béchir and Sudan’s rapprochement with Western powers, notably the USA, which had provided significant economic support.

An arms-for-naval base deal

The military’s return to power following the October 2021 coup led by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhane rekindled ties with Moscow. The project was reactivated in 2022, although discussions took some time.

In June 2024, the vice-president of the Sovereign Transitional Council, Malik Agar, travelled to Russia to finalize the agreement. The agreement was part of a strategic exchange: the urgent delivery of arms and ammunition in return for the establishment of the naval base. This cooperation comes against a backdrop of civil war, as the Sudanese army fights against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as “Hemedti”.

Geostrategic issues and international criticism

The Russian naval base could strengthen Moscow’s military presence in the region, giving it a strategic foothold in the Red Sea. Some analysts believe it would compensate for the loss of the Tartous base in Syria, which played a key role in Russian military operations in Africa.

However, the agreement drew international criticism. In late January 2025, the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, accused Moscow of “funding both warring parties” in Sudan to further its own strategic objectives.

Conclusion

The establishment of a Russian naval base in Sudan marks a major turning point in bilateral relations and Moscow’s military strategy in Africa. While this agreement could strengthen the geopolitical position of both countries, it also raises concerns about regional stability and Russia’s role in the Sudanese conflict. This development underlines the complex geopolitical dynamics of the Red Sea, a strategic region coveted by many of the world’s powers.