Mind the link. Understanding the deeper nature of the conflict that’s shaking Sudan requires examining the Russian activities in the area. Thus spoke the former Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti, President of the Med-Or Foundation, in an interview with Agenzia Nova, highlighting the connection between the war in Ukraine and Africa.
Delving deeper… While the underlying reason for the violence lies in the hastened dissolution of regional paramilitary units, brought about by President Abdel Fattah al Burhan, Mr Minniti noted that the formers’ leader, General Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo of these forces, has long-standing ties with Moscow.
- Russia has also managed Sudan’s gold mines and signed an agreement with the Sudanese government of Sudan to open a Russian base in the Red Sea.
… and zooming out. Mr Minniti believes that the outcome of the conflict in Sudan will greatly influence the more complex international dynamics, testifying that the “red thread” linking the war in Ukraine to the enlarged Mediterranean (extended to Africa) is powerful and evident.
- The presence of Sudanese and Chadian mercenary fighters in long-destabilised Libya is confirmed. That could trigger a “domino effect,” impacting the Sudanese crisis and expanding the instability across the region.
Bottom line. “The story of Sudan must serve as a warning to Europe, which still has to take steps forward towards a strong relationship with Africa, understanding once and for all that the destinies of the two continents are closely linked and that these destinies will become [hard to separate overtime],” said Mr Minniti.
- “A Europe that looks to Africa is [also] capable of better [understanding] its own growth prospects and role in the world.”
