SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to meet Thursday in Khartoum with Sudan’s military rulers, Sudan’s state-run news agency reported
In addition to talks on Sudan-Russia ties, talks were expected to touch upon Khartoum’s role with affairs in its neighboring conflict-stricken countries, including Chad, South Sudan, and Central African Republic, said Sudan’s acting Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq.
Lavrov’s visit to Sudan comes as senior diplomats from the U.S. and other European nations conclude two days of talks with Sudanese military leaders and pro-democracy groups to push for a final agreement to restore the country’s transition to democracy, the associated press reported.
An October 2021 military coup derailed Sudan’s short-lived, democratic transition. It came after the removal of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 amid a popular uprising against his Islamist-backed repressive rule.
Late last year, the generals reached an initial deal with major pro-democracy groups to establish a civilian government. Internationally-backed talks were still underway to achieve a final agreement.
Lavrov’s visit is part of a multi-leg Africa trip that has taken him to Mali and Mauritania. It is Lavrov’s second trip to Africa this year as Russia seeks to maximize its interests on the continent amid rising global interest in Africa’s rich resources.
(Esta Media Network/ The Associated Press)
