Russian, Western envoys converge on Sudan, offering divergent visions for Africa – The North Africa Post

Sudanese capital of Khartoum has seen a flurry of high-level diplomatic exercise, with visits of Russia’s high diplomat and envoys from america and Europe, in what has been dubbed as “a brand new scramble for Africa” by the Kremlin and its Western opponents

Russia’s International Minister Sergey Lavrov’s go to to Khartoum (8-9 February) — his second Africa tour this yr — comes as an more and more remoted Moscow has sought to strengthen partnerships on the continent. Sudan is considered one of a number of African nations, together with the Central African Republic, Libya and Mali, the place Moscow has bolstered ties in recent times, partly by way of the Kremlin-backed mercenary agency the Wagner Group.

In Khartoum, Lavrov held talks with military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who in October 2021 led a navy coup that derailed Sudan’s transition to civilian rule and triggered cuts to essential Western help. Russia’s high envoy pledged help for Sudan’s name to have the long-standing UN sanctions on the African nation lifted and in addition hailed Sudanese efforts “to draw Russian investments”.

Lavrov’s two Africa excursions this yr, which included visits to Angola, Eritrea, Eswatini, Mali, Mauritania, South Africa and Sudan, come towards the backdrop of an elevated competitors in Africa towards the backdrop of the struggle in Ukraine.

Symbolically coinciding with Lavrov’s go to, particular envoys from the European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Norway, and america arrived in Khartoum additionally on Wednesday and met with Sudanese political leaders to point out help for Sudan’s transition to a civilian-led authorities. However they agreed to renew monetary help to Sudan solely as soon as a civilian-led transitional authorities is shaped. “It’s our sturdy hope that the events will make a fast formation of a civilian led-government that is ready to lead Sudan out of its present political, financial crises,” stated, Peter Lord, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Africa, Sudan and South Sudan, after the assembly.