Sudan Proposes Red Sea Free Economic Zone for Russia

Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has proposed the establishment of a Red Sea free economic zone for Russian use amidst the ongoing conflict. Al-Burhan also requested Russian investment in Sudan's railway infrastructure, specifically focusing on expanding the network from Port Sudan toward the border with Chad. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the proposal for expanded economic cooperation, noting that bilateral trade between the two nations more than doubled in 2025. Additionally, trade increased by a further 25% between January and August 2026, solidifying Sudan's position as one of Russia's top ten trading partners in Africa.