Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef on Warfare and Arms Procurement

In a BBC Arabic interview, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef stated that fighting in Sudan would continue during Ramadan. He clarified that an agreement with Russia pertains to a service area for military ships on the Red Sea. Youssef emphasized that Sudan will acquire weapons from nations willing to sell them, regardless of sanctions, asserting the country’s right to defense resources from any source.

During an interview with BBC Arabic on March 2, 2025, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef discussed ongoing conflicts in Sudan, emphasizing that fighting would persist through Ramadan, which he referred to as “the month of war” in Islamic tradition. He addressed concerns surrounding a Russian naval agreement, clarifying that it entails a service area for military ships, rather than a full naval base, and stated that the parliament will ratify it once established after elections.

Youssef highlighted that Sudan is under Western and American sanctions that restrict arms acquisitions from these nations, questioning if the military was expected to simply surrender. He affirmed that the Sudanese army acquires weapons from countries that do not impose sanctions and expressed intent to procure weapons from any country willing to supply them, including Iran and Ukraine.

In response to inquiries about the implications of a Russian naval presence, Youssef reiterated that the agreement is merely service-oriented and does not imply colonization or dominance by Russia in Sudan. He further indicated that all nations maintain relationships with diverse countries, emphasizing Sudan’s sovereignty and interests.

Youssef dismissed the notion that Sudan would become an arena for a proxy confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, indicating that such a scenario has not occurred and will not occur in the future. He firmly stated Sudan’s right to procure arms without external interference, asserting that “neither the BBC, nor Britain, or anyone else can prevent us from buying weapons.”

The interview with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef underscores Sudan’s determination to maintain its military capabilities amid international sanctions. Youssef’s declarations reveal a strategic approach to international relations, asserting Sudan’s autonomy in procuring arms from various nations while downplaying concerns regarding external military influences. Sudan aims to safeguard its sovereignty while engaging in alliances that promote its national interests.

Original Source: www.memri.org