Russia foreign minister Lavrov visits Sudan as Moscow boosts role in Africa

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met officials in Sudan on Thursday, part of a week-long African tour seeking to expand influence as Western nations seek to isolate Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

The Russian diplomat's arrival in Sudan late Wednesday marked the latest stop in a tour that has included Mali and Mauritania. Last month, Lavrov visited Eritrea, Angola, Eswatini and South Africa.

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum alongside Sudanese acting Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq, Lavrov pledged support for lifting long-standing UN sanctions on the Northeast African nation.

Sudan and Russia have been "cooperating in the fields of economy and investment", Lavrov said, hailing Sudanese efforts "to attract Russian investments".

Lavrov also held talks with Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Sudan has recently repeated calls for the UN to lift the sanctions and an arms embargo imposed during the conflict in the country's Darfur region in 2005.

Lavrov had earlier visited Mali on Tuesday. Russian support for the West African nation's efforts to sustain a decade-long battle against militants has increased since France’s withdrawal from the country last year.

The second Russia-Africa Summit is slated for July this year and Moscow is working on its preparations.

The United States has been pushing back against Russia's bid to expand influence among African countries.

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