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Sudan may show interest in hosting Russian naval base, expert says

The expert pointed out that former President Omar al-Bashir’s government offered to host a Russian naval base

MOSCOW, April 22. /TASS/. Sudan’s new authorities may show interest in hosting a Russian naval base, Head of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies’ Center of the Near and Middle East Vladimir Fitin told TASS on Monday.

He pointed out that "former President Omar al-Bashir’s government offered to host a Russian naval base, so there are numerous opportunities to boost ties and cooperation."

"I think the recent changes in Sudan will have no negative impact on the country’s relations with Russia," the expert pointed out. "Everyone is interested in having strong ties with Russia, which has a vast experience of cooperation with Sudan and can offer assistance in various areas, which is what it has done many times before, particularly in geological exploration and mineral production," Fitin noted.

On April 11, a military coup took place in Sudan and President Omar al-Bashir was ousted after 30 years in power. The Sudanese army suspended the country’s constitution, dissolved the parliament, government and local authorities and declared a three-month state of emergency in the country. The army also formed a military council to rule the country during an interim period that is expected to last two years.

During Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s visit to Russia in November 2017, Moscow and Khartoum made agreements on cooperation in the modernization of Sudan’s armed forces. Al-Bashir said, in particular, that the country was interested in discussing the use of Red Sea bases with Russia.