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Russia clears final 'military' hurdle to set up a naval base on Red Sea
New DelhiEdited By: Abhinav SinghUpdated: Feb 13, 2023, 03:28 PM IST

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, and Sudanese acting
foreign minister Ali al-Sadiq give a joint press conference at the
airport in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 Photograph:(AP)

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The completion of the review comes days after Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov arrived in the capital city of Khartoum and met acting
Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq.

Sudan's ruling military on Saturday completed the final review of the
agreement it signed with Russia, authorising the latter to establish a
navy base on the Red Sea coast of the African nation.

The deal will now move ahead and be ratified, pending the formation of a
civilian government and a legislative body. The African nation has been
without a parliament since April 2019 when autocratic leader Omar
al-Bashir was overthrown by the military.

The completion of the review comes days after Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov arrived in the capital city of Khartoum and met acting
Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq.

Lavrov had said the deal still needed ratification by Sudan's
soon-to-be-formed legislative.

“They [Russians] cleared all our concerns. The deal has become OK from
the military side,” a military official was quoted as saying by The
Associated Press.

The deal was first officially announced in December 2020, having been
agreed upon in principle during al-Bashir's reign. The agreement allows
Kremlin to set up a 300-troop-strong naval base.

WATCH | Sudan: Protesters demand ouster of military rulers

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Additionally, the deal stated that Russia will be able to keep four navy
ships that may include a few nuclear-powered ones at strategic Port
Sudan on the Red Sea.

In exchange for Sudan's permission to set up the base, Russia will
provide Sudan with weapons and military equipment.

Read more: Russia to establish navy base in Sudan for at least 25 years

The agreement lasts for 25 years and could be automatically extended for
10-year periods if none of the parties objects to it.

The document states that the Russian navy base should help strengthen
peace and stability in the region and isn't directed against any third
parties.

The western world, however, has been critical of the navy base. The
analysts in their assessment have said that Russia is interested in
developing its own power dynamic in the region rather than helping Sudan
expand its economic power.

The base and its strategic importance will allow Moscow to ensure its
presence in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It will also help Russian
ships avoid the long voyages to reach the area.

(With inputs from agencies)