KHARTOUM, 03 June 2021, (TON): Sudan’s military chief Mohamed Othman al-Hussein has said the country is reviewing an agreement to host a Russian naval base on its Red Sea coast, which was reached under former President Omar al-Bashir who was overthrown two years ago after nearly 30 years in power.

General Mohamed Othman al-Hussein said in an interview “This deal was signed under the former National Salvation Government”.

He told Sudan’s Blue Nile TV “talks to review the deal to serve Sudan’s interests” had been held with a visiting Russian delegation last week.

News about the deal surfaced late last year on the official portal of the Russian government. The deal allows Russia to set up a naval base with up to 300 Russian soldiers, and also to simultaneously keep up to four navy ships, including nuclear-powered ones, in Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

In exchange, Russia is to provide Sudan with weapons and military equipment. The agreement is to last for 25 years, with automatic extensions for 10-year periods if neither side objects to it.

Al-Hussein said “We are negotiating a possible review to this deal, to ensure that our interests and our profits are taken into account.”