Published On 3/12/2025
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Last update: 14:37 (Mecca time)
The Russian Embassy in Sudan said on Wednesday that media reports about Moscow’s construction of a naval base in Sudan revive a 5-year-old “horror story.”
The embassy’s position came in response to information – published the day before yesterday, Monday, by the American Wall Street Journal – that the Sudanese authorities proposed to Russia the establishment of a naval base on the Red Sea coast.
The embassy said in statements to the Russian RIA Novosti agency that in the absence of any new news, the Wall Street Journal article aims to revive the 5-year-old “horror story” regarding the Russian presence in the Red Sea.
Last Monday, the Wall Street Journal claimed that the Sudanese authorities proposed to Russia the establishment of a naval base on the Red Sea coast.
According to the agreements signed in November 2020, Sudan grants Russia the right to use part of the port of Port Sudan and the adjacent water area, provided that the maximum number of personnel at the Russian naval base in Port Sudan does not exceed 300 individuals, with them enjoying diplomatic immunity.
It also allows the presence of no more than 4 Russian ships at the same time, including nuclear-powered ships.
The Wall Street Journal reported that if the move is made, this base will give Russia an unprecedented platform overlooking the vital trade routes in the Red Sea.
Weapons and perks
The Sudanese proposal stipulates that the Kremlin will receive benefits related to lucrative mining concessions in Sudan, which is the third largest gold-producing country in Africa, according to the American newspaper.
In exchange for allowing Russian forces to use Sudanese territory in the long term, Sudanese officials stated that the Khartoum government would obtain advanced Russian anti-aircraft systems and other weapons at preferential prices, according to the American newspaper.
A Sudanese military official told the Wall Street Journal that Sudan needs new weapons supplies, but a deal with Russia could raise problems with the United States and the European Union.
Last March, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Sadiq Ali told RIA Novosti that the Sudanese authorities had no fundamental objection to establishing a Russian naval base in the country.
On the other hand, the Russian ambassador to Sudan, Andrei Chernovol, stated that the base construction project is “under freeze” in the current situation.