Russia has reached an agreement with Sudan to establish its first-ever naval base in Africa, giving Moscow strategic access to the Red Sea, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef announced during a visit to Moscow on February 12.
Speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Youssef confirmed that all terms had been agreed upon.
This development was reported by The Kyiv Independent.
A Game-Changer for Russia’s Naval Power
The Red Sea is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world, with 12% of global trade passing through it due to the Suez Canal at its northern end.
By securing a naval base in Sudan, Russia joins the ranks of China and the United States, both of which operate military bases in Djibouti, further south along the same coast.
Russia has been in discussions about the base since 2017, but political instability in Sudan delayed negotiations. The deal now appears finalized, giving Moscow a crucial logistical hub for its navy in the region.
The agreement comes at a critical time for Russia, as it faces uncertainty over its naval presence in the Mediterranean following the December overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Russia had long maintained its Tartus naval base and Khmeimim airbase in Syria, but with Assad gone, Syria’s new government is reassessing its military alliances.
Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra told The Washington Post on February 6 that the future of Russia’s bases in Syria would depend on whether they serve Syria’s national interests, hinting that Moscow may have to offer something in return to keep its foothold there.
Russia’s Growing Focus on Africa
With uncertainty in Syria, Russia is actively securing alternative military footholds. The Sudan naval base deal aligns with Moscow’s broader push into Africa, where it has already deployed Wagner Group mercenaries and secured mining contracts in several nations.
Russia’s growing presence on the continent is seen as an effort to counter Western influence, build alliances with non-aligned nations, and secure economic resources critical for sustaining its military and geopolitical ambitions.
