Current Affairs - International - Discussion

Sudan granted Russia permission to establish its first naval base on the African continent, marking a significant geopolitical shift in the Red Sea region. The base, positioned near Port Sudan, gives Russia strategic access to one of the world’s most crucial maritime corridors, connecting the Red Sea to the Suez Canal—an area handling nearly 12% of global shipping. The agreement allows Russia to station personnel, deploy naval vessels including nuclear-powered ships, and maintain a long-term presence through a 25-year pact with automatic renewals. Despite Sudan’s internal political instability, both nations view the arrangement as mutually advantageous for military cooperation and regional influence.