Sudanese military official Yasser Al-Atta announced that Russia has requested the establishment of a fueling station in the Red Sea in exchange for providing weapons and ammunition, with agreements to this effect expected to be signed soon.
Al-Atta, who is a member of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council and the deputy to the chief of armed forces, disclosed this information to the Al-Hadath channel, stating, “Russia requested a refuelling point on the Red Sea in exchange for supplying us with weapons and ammunition.”
He further noted that Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan “will soon sign agreements with Russia.”
The two countries had previously signed a deal to establish a naval base during the tenure of former President Omar al-Bashir. However, military leaders later stated that the plan was under review and had never been implemented.
Russia has previously developed relations with Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been engaged in a conflict with the Sudanese army for over a year.
These forces also reportedly have connections with Russia’s private military group, Wagner, according to Western diplomats.
As the war that erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues, the Russian ambassador to Cairo, Georgiy Borisenko, expressed his hope that the Sudanese army and the RSF will avoid expanding the scope of the conflict.
In statements made to the Middle East News Agency, he noted that Moscow supports the resumption of Jeddah negotiations and the cessation of fighting in Sudan.
At the same time, he emphasized that Moscow does not dictate to the Sudanese what their government should look like, nor does it interfere in their choice of government, whether civilian or military.
