Progress in Sudan's relations with the US and Russia, troops reportedly withdraw from Yemen.

Overview

Sudanese military leader Abdelfattah al-Burhan says that Russia has agreed to continuing its enhancement of the Sudanese armed forces. In positive signs for Sudan’s relationship with the US, four Senators have called for an upgrade to diplomatic relations with Sudan.

Enhanced Sudan-Russia military cooperation

Radio Dabanga (25 October) reports that Sudan is looking forward to continue cooperating with Russia economically and militarily, according to the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, who was in Sochi for the Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum.

El Burhan confirmed that Russia is promising to implement its agreement to reform Sudan’s military establishment and enhance the Sudanese armed forces.

Russia has also supported the Sudanese military in its propaganda war with democratic advocates (1 November, Sudan Tribune). It was reported that Facebook has removed 17 accounts, 6 Instagram accounts, 18 pages and 3 groups that are part of a Russian astroturfing attempt - a campaign to delegitimise the Forces of Freedom and Change, under the auspices of a grassroots campaign.

The Russian Wagner Group, which is allegedly close to Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) was reportedly involved.

Positive signs for US-Sudan relations

Four US Senators (25 October) have called on US President Donald Trump to support Sudan’s “fragile” democratic transition by nominating an ambassador to Sudan “as soon as possible.”

In a letter to President Trump, the senators – Cory A. Booker, Timothy M. Kaine, Christopher Coons and Christopher Murphy – argued US support for the transition will be needed to mitigate against the threat of hardliners within Sudan’s security services, “and in particular the RSF,” spoiling Sudan’s democratic transition.

In addition, the US Special Envoy to Sudan Donald Booth said that the US is working to remove the terrorism designation and engaging with the Congress to amend or modify three acts specific to Sudan and other legislations imposing restrictions on Sudan (29 October, Sudan Tribune).

Sudanese finance minister Ibrahim Elbadawi then confirmed that Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok will travel to Washington to discuss Sudan’s rescission from the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, although a time-frame was not given (1 November, Sudan Tribune).

Withdrawal from Yemen

Anonymous Sudanese officials have told AP (October 30) that Sudan has withdrawn “several thousand troops,” from Yemen. The troops are reportedly mainly from the RSF, although a “few thousand” will remain to train Yemeni government forces.

RSF commander Himedti’s alleged reasons are that fighting in Yemen has dwindled.