Foreign Policy: Russia's dreams of establishing a port in Sudan as its first military base in Africa have been dashed

by the

US Foreign Policy website stated that Russia's dreams of establishing a military base in the Red Sea have been dashed, and that US intelligence believes that Sudan has rejected Moscow's request to establish its first naval base in Africa.

The report quoted US officials who closely monitor the deal between Moscow and Khartoum, which was first announced in late 2020, as saying that, if concluded, it would give Russia a strategic foothold on the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest waterways, through which it passes. About 30% of the world's shipping containers pass through it.

US officials fear that Moscow may use this to project its power further into the Indian Ocean.

Contrasted with the complexities of the situation in Sudan

The report added that it appears that Russia's naval ambitions in the Red Sea conflict with the complex internal dynamics within the Sudanese military leadership.

Although the deputy head of the country’s ruling military council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti,” has embraced Moscow, the army’s de facto head of state, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has sought to avoid alienating the West and its other key allies in the region, including Egypt. .

The report quoted a US intelligence official as saying that they are very reluctant to meet Russia's request to access the Port Sudan port, and that they are continuing delay tactics, adding that US intelligence believes that this deal is unlikely to be concluded any time in the near future and that Russia is likely to look for Other options if they do not work with Sudan.

They play with all sides

The report quoted Joseph Segel, director of research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, as saying that what the Sudanese army leaders are trying to do is play with all sides.

They want to flirt with the Russians, but at the same time they realize that the Russians are not offering much, and that any money, any investment capital, has to come from Western donors again.

A State Department spokesperson said that moving forward with such a maritime agreement or any other form of security cooperation with Russia would isolate the Sudanese military regime and undermine stability in the Horn of Africa and the broader Red Sea region.

Hemedti meets in Moscow Alexander Movin, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation (Anatolia)

And the website quoted Chedi Blyden, a senior official in the US Department of Defense for African Affairs, as telling a Senate committee during a hearing last Tuesday that America's opponents are well aware of Africa's strategic potential and dedicate resources and time to strengthening their partnerships on the continent, as Russia and "as well as China" routinely provide materials Training and defense for African countries.

Hemeti and the proof

Cameron Hudson, an expert on US-African relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that Russia's strategy in Sudan is to develop relations with both Hemedti and Commander Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, as it uses the Wagner Group to develop informal commercial and military relations with Hemedti, while deepening bilateral military relations. Official with proof.

However, Russia is also concerned about getting involved in a major port deal, as the political crisis in Sudan remains in flux, and where the military government is still struggling to maintain its grip on power in the face of a strong public backlash and massive demonstrations from for democratic transformation.

Hudson, who previously worked at the US State Department and the CIA, said it was clear that there was a political crisis taking place in the country at the moment, the role of the military in question, and that the political sands were changing so much in Sudan now that this kind of arrangement - even if it is announced that Done - it will be open to question.

As well as the Emirates

The report also stated that Russia is not the only country that wants access to Red Sea ports.

The UAE entered the fray in recent weeks, offering a $6 billion deal to build a port to rival Port Sudan, adding that the apparent desire of Sudan's current rulers to lure foreign investors - even as they face political calculations - is a sign to experts that more state assets are on offer. For those interested.

“It's just a desire for cash," Hudson said. "They are completely bankrupt, so they are selling state assets at very low prices because they need the cash.