Russia Secures Red Sea Naval Base

Russia and Sudan reached an agreement giving Moscow a Red Sea naval base near Port Sudan, Sudan’s foreign minister announced Wednesday.

Why it matters: Russia is gaining power in Africa. Though it may struggle to maintain this after Syria’s revolution, this is still an ominous sign for the West.

• It comes as Western powers are losing influence in Africa.
• This could open the door for Iran—a close Russian partner and major Western enemy—to entrench its own influence in the Continent, specifically along the Red Sea.

Details: Former Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir led negotiations on a similar deal in 2020, which would have given Russia a naval base near Port Sudan to host warships and some 300 Russian military personnel.

• The government that replaced Bashir put this deal under “review.”
• After Sudan’s civil war began in 2023, the future of the base was up in the air.
• Last year, the Sudanese Armed Forces agreed to give Russia this naval base in exchange for weapons.
• On Wednesday, Sudan’s foreign minister said an agreement had been finalized and the two sides were in “complete agreement.”

Africa in prophecy: The Bible reveals that Europe and Iran will gain control of major African nations. Though Russia isn’t mentioned in these prophecies, its exploits in the region are setting the stage for this future conquest.

Russia’s military foothold will frighten Europe, stirring them to focus more on the region. This could motivate Iran to move into nations such as Sudan, strengthening its grip on the Red Sea.

Learn more: Read “Putin’s African Empire.”