In a recent television interview, Yasser Al-Atta, a member of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council and Deputy Chairman Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, appeared visibly tense. His anxiety was evident through his stammering and body language when discussing the cooperation between the Sudanese army and Russia. This cooperation entails a controversial agreement granting Russia a strategic port on the Red Sea under Russian sovereignty, in exchange for advanced weapons and drones for the Sudanese army.
This agreement raises many questions and concerns, as it involves hidden aspects that threaten Sudan's stability. Evidence suggests that the Sudanese army plans to use these weapons to bolster its power and suppress civilians, increasing human rights violations. These moves seem part of an ongoing strategy by the army's leadership, including Al-Burhan and Al-Atta, to maintain their dominance over the country and plunder its resources unchecked.
These concerns align with what Bloomberg covered in its recent report, confirming the unjust nature of this agreement. Bloomberg highlights that this step is part of the Sudanese leadership's efforts to strengthen its grip on power and marginalize popular demands for change and reform. This military cooperation with Russia is not just a commercial deal but an extension of repressive policies aimed at perpetuating an authoritarian regime exploiting Sudan's wealth for the benefit of a few military and political leaders, while ordinary Sudanese citizens suffer from poverty and marginalization.
Thus, this new agreement reflects the continued deterioration of the political and humanitarian situation in Sudan, showing how external alliances can deepen internal crises. While the military leadership acquires modern weapons, the Sudanese people pay a high price in terms of their freedom and basic rights. These developments are expected to lead to further escalation and tensions in the Red Sea region, complicating Sudan's political landscape and increasing the suffering of its people who aspire for peace and stability.