In January, Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that private Russian companies were training the Sudanese army, but denied claims that they were there to help suppress protests…

“No matter how the new government is configured, there is no doubt that they will seek cooperation with Russia in the near future,” the state-run TASS news agency quoted Slutsky as saying.

“We have always maintained close relations with Sudan, even in Soviet times. This country has the most important geographical position on the African continent and in the Arab world,” Slutsky added.