Sudan, Russia agree to expedite implementation of signed agreements

February 24, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan and Russia agreed to enhance economic and trade cooperation and speed up the implementation of the signed bilateral agreements.

On Thursday, Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti”, held a meeting with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss ways to develop bilateral cooperation between Sudan and Russia in various areas including political, diplomatic, economic and trade fields.

“The two sides agreed to speed up the activation of existing agreements between the two countries, hold meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee, and expedite the work of all joint committees,” reported the official news agency SUNA.

Hemedti thanked Russian support for his government in international forums, especially in the UN Security Council and the United Nations.

The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council is accompanied by Minister of Finance Gibril Ibrahim, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Abu Bakr Omer Albushra, Minister of Energy and Oil Mohamed Abdallah Mahmoud and the acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nadir Youssif al-Tayeb.

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not issue a statement about the meeting, but SUNA said that Lavrov affirmed his country’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with Sudan in the areas of energy, agriculture, and mining.

There are unconfirmed reports that Hemetti also wants to discuss with the Russian government ways to directly supply arms to his militia the Rapid Support Forces.

The visit comes as the European Union and the United States and other nations imposed heavy economic sanctions against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.

Also, it drew attention to Russia’s ambitions to strengthen relations with the troubled country, especially as it wants the military-led government to honour its pledge to establish a naval base and to continue allowing them to have access to the landlocked Central African Republic where they work in mining industry.

Reacting to the visit, U.S. Congressman Representative Gregory Meeks said that “sending a delegation to Russia as it launches an invasion in Ukraine sends an undeniable message to the world”.

“Sudan’s junta has no interest in supporting democracy or the basic principles of sovereignty. We are watching,” Meeks further stressed in a statement posted by the tweet of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.

(ST)