Egypt’s intelligence chief discussed Wagner’s presence in Sudan last January: report
February 3, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel discussed with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan earlier last January ways to end the activities of the Russian Wagner group in Sudan, according to The Associated Press.
On January 2, the Egyptian envoy met with the head of the military-led Sovereign Council to discuss the political process in Sudan. Sources close to the meeting at the time told Sudan Tribune that the meeting discussed the situation on the Central African Republic without further details.
In a report about U.S. recent moves to curb Wagner’s activities in Sudan and Libya, The Associated Press said that Kamel convoyed Washington’s concerns in his meeting with al-Burhan about the Russian presence in his country.
“Kamel urged Burhan to find a way to address Wagner’s “use of Sudan as a base” for operations in neighbouring countries such as the Central African Republic, reported the news agency citing a senior Sudanese official.
In a report released on January 26, Africa Intelligence underscored the close cooperation between the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Wagner saying that 500 of its members are deployed in the neighbouring country to support Wagner and the CRA forces in their fight against the rebels.
Wagner arrived in Sudan in 2017 to train the special forces of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and the RSF which was also under the command of the agency.
After the collapse of al-Bashir’s regime, the deputy head of the Sovereign Council extended his cooperation with the Russian private security company which is operating in gold mining in Sudan and uses its Red Sea port to transport logistics to its contractors in the CAR.
Recently in a meeting held in Ndjamena on January 29, 2023, Mohamed Deby head of the transitional military council in Chad, also, complained to al-Burhan about the RSF cooperation with the Russian security company which is suspected of seeking to destabilize his regime.
Citing Egyptian officials, The Associated Press said that CIA director William Burns discussed Wagner’s presence in Sudan and Libya during his visit to Cairo on January 26. Also, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the matter with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on January 30.
U.S.. Treasury Department, in July 2020, imposed sanctions on companies registered in Sudan, Meroe Gold and M Invest, for exploiting Sudan’s natural resources. But; the company continues to operate under the protection of the ruling military component.
(ST)