Sudan: real diplomatic ballet between Westerners and Russians

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads Sudan, on February 9, 2023 in Khartoum.

via REUTERS - RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in Sudan on February 9, the day after a visit by representatives of the United States, France, Norway, Great Britain and Germany, as well as from those of the European Union.

Khartoum is the scene of a veritable diplomatic ballet between Westerners and Russians.

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After Mauritania and Mali, the Russian Foreign Minister is in

.

Sergueï Lavrov must meet the military authorities there, the number 1 of the junta, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number 2, General Hemidti.

This visit comes as, 24 hours earlier, envoys from five Western countries – United States, France, Norway, Great Britain and Germany – as well as from the European Union (EU) were also visiting Khartoum.

A real diplomatic ballet.

This is absolutely no coincidence, underlines a researcher: Russians and Westerners are waging a battle for influence in the region.

Western pressures for a transition to democracy

During their two-day visit, the Westerners wanted to make sure that the Sudanese junta still supports a transition to democracy.

As a reminder, at the beginning of December, the military in power in Khartoum and the main political parties and pro-democracy groups signed an initial agreement which should lead to the establishment of a civilian government in the coming months.

But in recent days, the military have multiplied ambiguous statements, suggesting that they would not accept an agreement ratifying the return of civilians.

Before the EU/US delegation, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan yesterday finally reiterated his commitment to a transition to democracy.

Westerners worried about Russia's growing influence

With this visit, believes the same researcher, Westerners are also seeking to support al-Burhan against his rival, the number 2 of the junta, General Hemidti, close to the Russians.

Westerners are worried about Moscow's growing influence in the region.

And in particular the presence of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner in Darfur and in the neighboring countries.

Before arriving in Khartoum, the Russian Foreign Minister was in Bamako where he promised that Russia would continue to help Mali improve its military capabilities.

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• Sudan

• Russia

• European Union

• Sergei Lavrov