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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov is a Russian diplomat who has been the Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2004. He will meet today in Khartoum with the military leaders of Sudan, the Sudanese state news agency SUNA reported, the Associated Press reported.

According to Sudan's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Sadiq, along with the topic of Sudan-Russia relations, Lavrov's talks are expected to focus on Khartoum's role in conflict-affected neighboring countries, including Chad, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Lavrov's visit to Sudan comes as top diplomats from the US and other European countries wrap up two days of talks with Sudan's military leaders and pro-democracy groups, pushing for a final deal to restore the country's transition to democracy.

A military coup in October 2021 "derailed" Sudan's democratic transition, which began after the ouster of longtime ruler Omar Bashir in April 2019 following a popular uprising against his repressive Islamist-backed rule.

Lavrov: We will continue to help the military in Mali

Late last year, Sudan's ruling generals reached an initial agreement with the country's main pro-democracy groups to establish a civilian government.

Negotiations are still ongoing, supported by the international community, to reach a final agreement on future civilian governance.

Lavrov's visit to Sudan is part of a multi-stage tour of his in Africa, which has already taken him to Mali and Mauritania during his second leg, which began earlier in the week.

This is Lavrov's second trip to Africa this year, which shows that Russia is seeking to maximize the scope of its presence on the continent amid growing global interest in Africa's wealth of natural resources, BTA notes.

Sergey Lavrov

Sudan