Sudan Approves Deal Granting Russia Its First African Naval Base

Sudan Approves Agreement Enabling Russia to Build Its First Naval Base in Africa

Sudan has formally approved a long-pending defence agreement that allows Russia to establish its first naval base on the African continent. The announcement came after high-level discussions in Moscow between Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef Ahmed al-Sharif and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, marking a breakthrough in negotiations that had remained dormant amid political unrest in Sudan.

Strategic Red Sea Placement

The planned facility will function as a logistics support base near Port Sudan, located along the Red Sea — a maritime corridor through which nearly 12% of global commerce flows. Its position offers Russia a critical operational vantage point close to the Suez Canal, placing the new base alongside major foreign military centres in Djibouti operated by the U.S. and China.

Key Provisions of the Military Pact

The agreement, first drafted in 2017 and formally signed in 2020, authorises Russia to station up to 300 military personnel and dock four warships, including nuclear-powered vessels. The pact’s tenure extends for 25 years, with automatic renewal cycles of 10 years. Sudanese officials confirmed that all technical and legal hurdles have now been resolved.

Broader Geopolitical Dynamics

The approval comes amid uncertainty surrounding Russia’s long-term access to its naval facility in Tartus, Syria. A base in Sudan provides Moscow with additional strategic depth in the region and strengthens its influence across the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. For Khartoum, the agreement signals a deeper security partnership despite domestic instability and ongoing factional conflicts.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Russia’s naval base will be built near Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

• The agreement allows 300 Russian personnel and four naval vessels.

• Initial validity: 25 years, with 10-year automatic extensions.

• Nearly 12% of global trade moves via the Red Sea–Suez route.