Sudan’s junta allows Russian naval expansion in the Red Sea with growing fears of a potential ‘new Cold War’ in Africa

The Kremlin have been given access to establish a new naval base by Sudan’s junta in the Red Sea allowing Moscow to have a wider reach across the Sahara.

The West are concerned that this will provide Russia with a presence on the Red Sea which is one of the World’s busiest stretches and is where millions of holidaymakers go each year.

Following a meeting between the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Sudan’s interim Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq in Khartoum, both parties reached a provisional agreement for the new naval base.

A Sudanese military official said, “They [Moscow] cleared all our concerns. The deal has become OK from the military side.”

The agreement will allow Russia to build a naval base which will be home to around 300 troops, however Lavrov said Moscow still needs approval from Sudan’s upcoming legislative body.

Moscow will also need permission to maintain four naval vessels which will include nuclear powered ships at the port of Sudan and in exchange Sudan will be provided with military equipment and weapons.