The Wall Street Journal: Russia will establish military bases along the Eurasian route within Sudan, and both sides have reached relevant conditions
(Sudan. Photo source: The Wall Street Journal / Social network)
According to informed officials in Sudan who spoke to The Wall Street Journal, the Sudanese authorities have proposed to Russia that it be allowed to establish a Russian military base along the Red Sea coast of Sudan and on the key Eurasian route, on the condition that Russia provides weapons to Sudan.
Officials said that the Sudanese military, which is currently in a civil war, has proposed a 25-year cooperation agreement to Russia, suggesting the establishment of a Russian military base along the Red Sea coast of Sudan in exchange for Russian military aid.
According to the information they provided, Russia could deploy up to 300 soldiers at the military base and station up to 4 military ships, "including nuclear submarines." The location of the base may be Port Sudan (where Russia had previously tried to establish a naval base), or another undisclosed location along the Red Sea coast.
The Wall Street Journal noted that an official from an African country (Sudan) stated that Russia could monitor maritime transport through the Suez Canal from Port Sudan. The Suez Canal is the shortest route connecting Europe and Asia, and about 12% of global trade passes through it.
"Russia Today" news agency (EADaily) added that in November last year, columnist Jamal Tahaa of the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm stated that the uncertainty of the Syrian situation forced Russia to look for alternative military base locations in Africa and the Middle East. According to him, the Russian government is simultaneously exploring three directions: Libya, Sudan, and Egypt.
Also in November last year, Russian Ambassador to Sudan Andrey Chernovol told Russian news agency RIA Novosti that due to the "current (Ukrainian) military conflict," the plan to build a naval base in the African country of Sudan has been suspended. He also mentioned that the two countries had signed a government-to-government agreement in 2020, under which Sudan agreed to allow the Russian Navy to establish a material and technical support point on its territory. The agreement also specified a bilateral consultation mechanism, as well as temporary application provisions before the approval procedures were completed.
Chernovol pointed out that according to this 25-year agreement, the personnel at the Russian Navy's material and technical support point could not exceed 300 people, and the number of Russian ships stationed within Sudan could not exceed 4. In exchange, Russia would begin to provide weapons and military technology to Sudan. The agreement has not yet come into effect.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7579151864915051014/
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