Sudan offers Russia mining sites, Red Sea economic zone
October 30, 2026 (MOSCOW) – Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said his country is ready to offer Russia sites to mine gold, copper, and other minerals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also said he was ready to cooperate with Khartoum in modern fields.
Russia’s TASS news agency reported that during a meeting with Putin in Moscow on Friday, Burhan proposed establishing a Russian free economic zone on the Red Sea.
Burhan said Russia could use the zone to build fuel and wheat storage facilities.
He also suggested Russian participation in developing Sudan’s railway infrastructure, noting efforts to expand the national train network.
“Logistical chains for transporting goods via railways can be established with the participation of Russian companies,” Burhan said.
Burhan arrived in the Russian capital on Thursday to lead his country’s delegation at the third Russia-Africa Summit, which began on Wednesday and concluded on Thursday.
Putin said Moscow is ready to cooperate with Sudan in sectors including digital development, healthcare, education, logistics and industry.
The Russian leader announced he had provided authorities with a roadmap for promising areas of bilateral cooperation.
Trade and economic relations between Russia and Sudan continue to develop despite the political complexities facing African countries, Putin added.
According to Russian state media outlet RT, Putin stated that bilateral trade more than doubled in 2015 and increased by 25% between January and August 2026.
Putin noted that Sudan is among Moscow’s top 10 trading partners in Africa.
During the meeting, Putin announced he is exploring ways Russia can help calm the situation in Sudan, calling for an end to hostilities and a transition to a political settlement.
In a speech at the summit on Thursday, Burhan said achieving peace in his country must be purely Sudanese, free from external dictates and interventions.
The Sudanese government is working to create conditions for a civilian democratic transition through domestic dialogue, Burhan added.
He said this aims to establish sustainable political stability through a transitional period followed by free and fair elections under regional and international observation.
Since April 2023, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have fought a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced about 13 million people, exacerbating famine and a humanitarian crisis.