THE US navy vessel prepares to dock in Port Sudan. — Reuters
THE US navy vessel prepares to dock in Port Sudan. — Reuters

PORT SUDAN: A US naval destroyer docked on Sudan’s Red Sea coast on Monday in the latest sign of thawing relations between Washington and Khartoum, a day after a visit by a Russian frigate.

The visits are a sign of international competition for influence in Sudan, which sits in a volatile region bridging the Horn of Africa, the Gulf, and North Africa, following the 2019 overthrow of long-time ruler Omar al Bashir.

Some 300 marines standing at attention aboard the USS Winston Churchill were greeted by a Sudanese military band in Port Sudan, a strategically important city on the Red Sea that serves as the country’s main port.

Russia plans to set up a naval base capable of mooring nuclear-powered surface vessels, and on Sunday the Admiral Grigorovich frigate became the first Russian warship to enter the port. Before Bashir’s overthrow, both Qatar and Turkey had signed deals to restore the nearby Red Sea port of Suakin.

The United States and Sudan have started to rebuild political and economic ties, and late last year Washington removed Sudan from a list of state sponsors of terror. Under Bashir, Sudan was accused of harbouring militant groups.

“The reason I’m here is because I want to learn more about your country and develop partnerships with your navy,” said Rear Admiral Michael Baze, director of maritime affairs for the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet.

The visit came “after a break of more than 30 years and is considered a visit with great significance and is a return to the American-Sudanese relations in the framework of visits of warships”, said Colonel Ibrahim Hammad, fleet commander for the Port Sudan naval base.

In late January, officials from the US Africa Command visited Sudan and discussed “opportunities for future military to military engagements” with Sudanese officials, a US statement said.

Sudanese officials will tour the ship and “explore opportunities to work together and establish a basis for a relationship committed to security and stability” with US counterparts, read a statement.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.