Sudan's Sovereignty Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan departed for Moscow on October 27, 2026, to attend the third Russia-Africa summit scheduled for October 28-29. According to state news agency SUNA, his delegation includes the foreign and finance ministers, as well as the heads of the General Intelligence Service and the Defence Industries System. The summit is expected to bring together leaders from across Africa to discuss cooperation and development.
Al-Burhan is set to address the summit, hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and visit the Russian State University for the Humanities. Sudan's ambassador to Russia, Mohammed al-Ghazali al-Tijani Siraj, stated that the visit reflects growing bilateral relations and cooperation at international forums. He highlighted Russia's support for Sudan's sovereignty and state institutions, particularly the Sudanese Armed Forces, which have been engaged in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023.
Russia has been a strong supporter of Sudan at the United Nations Security Council, using its veto power to oppose measures perceived as threats to Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Siraj cited Russia's recent stance against attempts to expand the scope of Resolution 1591 as evidence of this support. The resolution's expansion would have covered the entire territory of Sudan. This backing has been crucial for Sudan, especially during its current conflict.
Siraj mentioned that Russia could play a significant role in Sudan's reconstruction efforts following the war. Potential areas of cooperation include energy, oil, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and higher education. The countries' joint intergovernmental committee on economic and trade cooperation has continued to meet, with agreements reached at its eighth session outlining areas for future collaboration. Sudan and Russia are also marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year.
During the summit, al-Burhan is expected to outline Sudan's vision for peace and stability while defending its sovereignty and unity. He described the ongoing conflict as a fight against a terrorist militia and its regional and international backers. Siraj expressed confidence that the will of the Sudanese people cannot be defeated and that falsehoods will eventually disappear. The international community is closely watching Sudan's situation.
The Russia-Africa summit will consider three draft documents: a summit declaration, a declaration on civilian uses of artificial intelligence, and an action plan for the Russia-Africa partnership for 2027-2029. These documents will cover a range of areas, including political, economic, security, and legal cooperation, as well as education, science, health, environment, and climate issues. The proposed action plan aims to strengthen the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.
The action plan prioritizes cooperation in the digital economy, trade, tourism, and natural resource management. It also seeks to support African countries' development goals under the African Union's Agenda 2063, known as "The Africa We Want". With these initiatives, Russia aims to deepen its engagement with African nations and contribute to the continent's growth and development. The summit is a significant platform for Russia-Africa relations.
Key points
- Sudan's Sovereignty Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attends the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.
- Russia supports Sudan's sovereignty and state institutions amid conflict with the Rapid Support Forces.
- The Russia-Africa summit aims to strengthen cooperation between Russia and African nations in various areas.
