KHARTOUM – Sudan’s army chief and Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan will lead a high-level delegation to the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Oct. 28-29, as Khartoum seeks deeper political and economic ties with Russia and support for post-war reconstruction.
The Sudanese delegation will include the foreign and finance ministers, the director of the General Intelligence Service and the head of Sudan’s Defense Industries System, according to Sudan’s ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Al-Ghazali Al-Tijani Siraj.
Burhan is expected to address the summit and hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with discussions expected to focus on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, reconstruction and Sudan’s position on the war and peace efforts.
He is also scheduled to visit the Russian State University for the Humanities during the trip.
The summit comes as Sudan and Russia mark 70 years of diplomatic relations and as Khartoum looks for international partners to help rebuild infrastructure and revive an economy severely damaged by more than three years of war.
Siraj said Sudan viewed Russia as a potentially important partner in reconstruction, particularly in energy, oil, mining, agriculture, infrastructure and higher education.
The two countries have maintained meetings of their joint governmental committee on economic and trade cooperation. Its eighth session produced a protocol outlining potential cooperation across several sectors that Sudanese officials say could contribute to reconstruction.
Relations between Khartoum and Moscow have also strengthened politically during the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
Sudanese officials have repeatedly highlighted Russia’s positions at the U.N. Security Council, including its emphasis on Sudanese sovereignty and opposition to measures Khartoum views as external interference.
Russia has also opposed extending the U.N. sanctions regime established under Security Council Resolution 1591 beyond Darfur to the whole of Sudan.
Siraj said Sudan’s participation in the summit reflected growing coordination between the two countries, particularly in international forums.
Burhan’s expected meeting with Putin comes amid wider Russian efforts to expand political, commercial and security relations across Africa.
Moscow has increasingly presented its African partnerships as part of a broader push for a multipolar international system, while African governments have sought investment, infrastructure, energy cooperation and alternative international partnerships.
Sudan’s government has increasingly emphasized reconstruction as military operations and government institutions shift back toward areas retaken by the army.
Prime Minister Kamil Idris has also appealed to regional and international partners for technical, financial and logistical support to rebuild infrastructure and restore essential services damaged by the conflict.
According to the Sudanese ambassador, Burhan’s summit address is expected to outline Khartoum’s approach to peace and stability and emphasize the preservation of Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and state institutions.
The summit is expected to consider three major documents: a Russia-Africa declaration, a declaration on cooperation in the civilian use of artificial intelligence technologies and a Russia-Africa partnership action plan for 2027-2029.
The proposed framework covers political, economic, legal and security cooperation as well as education, science, health, climate and environmental issues.
It also envisages expanded cooperation in the digital economy, trade, tourism and management of natural resources, alongside regular ministerial consultations and closer coordination on international issues.
The meeting is the third Russia-Africa summit, following earlier gatherings in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023.
