Podcast: is Russia behind Sudan crisis?

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[12]In Episode 171 [13] of the CounterVortex podcast [14], Bill Weinberg examines the Russian fingerprints [15] on the attempted coup d'etat [16] in Sudan that has plunged the country into crisis—and derailed a transition to civilian rule that was to have taken place in April under terms of a deal between the ruling junta and pro-democracy opposition. The coup attempt was led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF [17]), which was to have been absorbed into the official armed forces under terms of the transition deal. The RSF has been closely collaborating with Russian mercenary outfit the Wagner Group [18]—especially in semi-legal gold-mining operations [19] in Darfur and Kordofan regions. The Wagner Group appears to be operating a death squad [20] to eliminate rival and independent gold prospectors in these regions. The arrangement points to a Kremlin-backed design to make the RSF economically independent of the Sudanese state in preparation for an eventual seizure of power. Russian plans for Moscow's first military base in Africa [21], at Port Sudan, could have been jeopardized by the transition to democratic rule. Listen on SoundCloud [13] or via Patreon [22]. (Map: PCL [23])

In Episode 171 [13] of the CounterVortex podcast [14], Bill Weinberg examines the Russian fingerprints [15] on the attempted coup d'etat [16] in Sudan that has plunged the country into crisis—and derailed a transition to civilian rule that was to have taken place in April under terms of a deal between the ruling junta and pro-democracy opposition. The coup attempt was led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF [17]), which was to have been absorbed into the official armed forces under terms of the transition deal. The RSF has been closely collaborating with Russian mercenary outfit the Wagner Group [18]—especially in semi-legal gold-mining operations [19] in Darfur and Kordofan regions. The Wagner Group appears to be operating a death squad [20] to eliminate rival and independent gold prospectors in these regions. The arrangement points to a Kremlin-backed design to make the RSF economically independent of the Sudanese state in preparation for an eventual seizure of power. Russian plans for Moscow's first military base in Africa [21], at Port Sudan, could have been jeopardized by the transition to democratic rule. Listen on SoundCloud [13] or via Patreon [22].

Production by Chris Rywalt [24]

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