Will Trump Allow a Russian Base in Sudan?

Former U.S. diplomat Cameron Hudson has stated that President Donald Trump’s administration is closely monitoring the war in Sudan, emphasizing that the U.S. does not want the country to become a safe haven for terrorism or descend into fragmentation like Somalia or Libya.

In an interview Hudson explained that Washington is particularly focused on securing stability along the Red Sea. “This means ensuring that neither Russia nor Iran gains a foothold in the region,” he said, highlighting the strategic importance of maintaining safe and uninterrupted maritime navigation.

U.S. Concerns Over a Russian Naval Base

Addressing reports of an agreement between Sudan and Russia for a naval base on the Red Sea, Hudson expressed skepticism about its legitimacy. “I am not certain how credible this deal is, but if it is real, it will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for Trump. His administration will likely react strongly to make Sudan understand that this was a poor choice,” he warned.

He added, “People should be concerned about this development. The last thing the U.S. wants is for Russia to threaten its interests in the Red Sea.” Hudson firmly stated that a Trump administration would not permit the establishment of a Russian naval base in Sudan.

The Sudan Conflict and U.S. Foreign Policy

Hudson pointed out that while the Trump administration has yet to appoint its team for African affairs, the urgency of the Sudan crisis demands swift action. “We expect President Trump to appoint a special envoy for Sudan soon. This could bring fresh perspectives on how to address the situation,” he noted.

He also anticipated that Trump’s administration would closely monitor developments on the ground. “Right now, the Sudanese army has retaken control of Khartoum, but there’s a possibility that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) could capture El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and establish a parallel government in the region,” Hudson said.

Trump’s Approach vs. Biden’s Strategy

Hudson criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of Sudan, arguing that his administration was slow to react to key events, including the October 25, 2021, coup and the outbreak of war. “Biden’s team failed to appoint a special envoy until a year into the conflict. Their response was passive at first, then they decided to engage only with civilian groups—despite the fact that these groups were unorganized and lacked a clear strategy to end the war,” he explained.

He also pointed out that Biden’s approach of treating both the Sudanese army and the RSF as equally illegitimate was flawed. “We hope the Trump administration will recognize the Sudanese army as a constitutional institution, despite its involvement in war crimes, and engage with it accordingly,” Hudson said.

The Future of U.S. Sanctions on Sudanese Leaders

On the issue of U.S. sanctions against Sudan’s military and RSF leaders, Hudson argued that the Biden administration had mishandled the matter. “If they wanted to impose sanctions, they should have done so at the start of the war, not at the last minute,” he said.

He suggested that Trump’s administration has an opportunity to leverage these sanctions effectively. “The U.S. should lay out clear conditions for lifting sanctions, particularly on General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and communicate these conditions transparently,” he advised.

Burhan’s Stance on the War

Hudson described Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as a pragmatic general who understands the devastating impact of war on his country. “During his visit to Port Sudan in November, he made it clear that he does not want this conflict to drag on indefinitely. However, he believes that peace must be sustainable—simply stopping the fighting without addressing underlying threats will only lead to another war,” Hudson said.

He also noted Trump’s strong relationships with Sudan’s Arab neighbors, suggesting that these countries could play a role in brokering peace. “All these nations have interests in Sudan, and a broader diplomatic deal could help bring an end to the conflict. Trump could use his influence to encourage negotiations, though predicting his actions is never easy,” Hudson concluded.

Looking Ahead

As the situation in Sudan continues to evolve, the Trump administration’s approach to the conflict, particularly concerning Russian involvement, will be closely watched. With mounting concerns over regional stability, Washington’s next steps could shape the trajectory of the crisis and influence Sudan’s geopolitical future.