Russia to maintain peacekeeping presence in Sudan

Russia intends to continue its participation in the UN peacekeeping operation in Sudan, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced today 17 May after a meeting in Moscow with his Sudanese counterpart Dr Lam Akol, Russian RIA news agency said today.

“For the past few weeks, a Russian helicopter group comprising four helicopters and 200 troops has been deploying to Sudan,” Lavrov said.

He also expressed his support for a peace agreement signed between the Sudanese government and one of the three opposition groups in the Nigerian capital city of Abuja on 5 May. Lavrov said that a recent session of the UN Security Council had urged the extension of the peace deal to include the other two opposition forces in Sudan.

Lavrov said Russia views Sudan “as a very promising partner”, noting that the talks with Akol had covered “not only the continuation of political dialogue but also the necessity of boosting trade and economic cooperation between the two countries”, RIA reported at 1040 gmt.

Lavrov noted that after a long-awaited peace is achieved between northern and southern Sudan, putting an end to the protracted civil war, the country’s infrastructure will have to be restored. He said one of the topics discussed with Akol was the possibility of Russian companies taking part in the development of Sudan’s railway network. Lavrov said Russia is already carrying out several power engineering and aerospace projects in Sudan.

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow