Russia is a known supporter of the Rapid Support Force (RSF), a Sudanese rebel group that have been accused of human right violations. Russia’s PMC Wagner group have been providing weapons and training to the RSF, however, this may soon change as Russia and Sudan discusses collaboration.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov visited Sudan in April in a signal of support for the Sudanese army which is locked in a year-long war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Bogdanov, also a special representative for the Middle East and Africa, met Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in the Red Sea City of Port Sudan, a base for the army and government officials since the RSF took over large parts of the capital Khartoum early in the conflict.
Bogdanov said his visit could lead to increased cooperation and expressed support for “the existing legitimacy in the country represented by the Sovereign Council”, according to a statement from the council, which is headed by Burhan.
In Sudan, there is uncertainty regarding Russia’s allegiances amidst the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister visited Sudan to signal support for the army, meeting with Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The visit aimed to enhance cooperation and support the existing legitimacy represented by the Sovereign Council. Russia’s ties with RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo raise concerns, especially after allegations of Russian involvement in illicit gold mining and disinformation in Sudan. Additionally, Russia has shown interest in a naval base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast and recently began diesel deliveries to Sudan.
It may appear that Russia and its proxy, the Wagner Group, have been courting both sides of the conflict to remain in the good graces of whoever comes out on top, while Sudan’s rival generals fight to become the country’s chief military power.
Russia’s plan to establish a naval base in Sudan, which would have given it access to the strategic Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, has been put on hold indefinitely due to the ongoing political instability in the African country.
The agreement to create the naval facility was signed in 2019 by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as part of a broader military cooperation deal that included arms sales and training. The base, which would have hosted up to 300 Russian personnel and four warships, was intended to serve as a logistics hub for the Russian Navy, allowing it to operate large vessels and nuclear submarines in the region.
Although, The Rapid Support Force (RSF) in Sudan has denied any links to the Wagner group, a Russian private military company (PMC) that has been accused of operating in several conflict zones around the world. The denial comes amid reports that the Wagner group has been operating in Sudan, allegedly providing security for gold mines in the Darfur region.
The RSF, which was formed in 2013, is a paramilitary force that is part of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The force has been accused of committing human rights abuses against civilians in the Darfur region and other parts of the country. The RSF has denied these accusations and has maintained that it is committed to maintaining internal security and combating terrorism in Sudan.
The Wagner group, on the other hand, is a private military company that has been linked to the Russian government. The company has been accused of operating in several conflict zones around the world, including Syria, Libya, and the Central African Republic. The group has been accused of committing human rights abuses and has been subject to international sanctions.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan. The resolution, known as 2724, was adopted with an overwhelming majority, signaling the international community’s grave concern over the ongoing conflict that has led to a severe humanitarian crisis.
The UNSC’s resolution comes at a critical time, coinciding with the commencement of Ramadan, a period traditionally marked by fasting, prayer, and reflection. The resolution’s timing underscores the urgency of peace and stability in the region, especially during a month that holds significant spiritual importance for the Muslim community.