In a recent interview, Mohammed Sirraj, Sudan’s ambassador to Russia, indicated that the ongoing conditions inside Sudan would not derail the broader agreement on establishing a logistics service center for the Russian Navy on Sudanese soil. He framed the issue as a matter of military logistics intertwined with national political processes, rather than a bilateral dispute that could be unsettled by domestic turmoil.
Sirraj suggested that while the timetable for the agreement might shift, the fundamental objective remains intact. He explained that Sudan is in a transitional phase toward a democratic government, and the pace of political reconciliation will influence how quickly the deal can move forward. The ambassador stressed that governance structures must be fully in place to authorize and ratify the arrangement.
He pointed out a practical hurdle: the document requires legislative approval, yet the transitional period in Sudan has meant there is no functioning parliament at this moment. Once the transition concludes and an elected government is established, it will have the authority to submit the agreement for parliamentary consideration and public accountability.
From his perspective, the base represents more than a simple military facility; it is tied to the broader strategic footprint of defense infrastructure in the region. The arrangement is seen as a capacity-building step that could influence security dynamics and logistics corridors across the Red Sea corridor, with potential implications for both sides’ strategic interests.
Sirraj noted the potential use of Port Sudan’s Red Sea port facilities to facilitate the flow of goods between Russia and Sudan. He outlined a scenario in which Russian naval logistics could also support civilian merchant traffic, serving as a loading point for commercial shipping when needed, while maintaining clear distinctions between military and commercial operations.
There has been historical momentum behind the discussion of a Russian naval base in Sudan, with prior permissions and negotiations having shaped the framework. Recent remarks by Sudanese officials have indicated a readiness to revisit and revise the terms to reflect evolving regional circumstances, safety considerations, and the broader international environment surrounding military deployments in the region.
TheSudanese situation entered a more volatile phase in mid-April when fighting intensified in Khartoum and other parts of the country between the regular armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces under the command of a deputy chairman of the interim sovereign council. This internal conflict underscored the delicate nature of any foreign military agreements tied to Sudan’s political stability and governance capacity.
Official discussions about the naval base began in late 2020, with a framework that anticipated a limited deployment. It was anticipated that the maximum number of personnel would be modest, and the presence of vessels would be capped to ensure safety and maintain dual-use access for civilian maritime activity. In 2021, there were calls from Sudan to review certain terms to better align the agreement with the country’s evolving security and economic needs while balancing regional considerations.