Russia’s Motivations for Vetoing UN Security Council Resolution for the Sudan Crisis

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached a catastrophic level, demanding that global organizations and international entities intervene to provide emergency relief. Therefore, the question at issue is why Russia vetoed the UN Security Council Resolution on protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid to Sudan.

In April 2023, a civil war began between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. The two armed factions were allies who overthrew a civilian reform government in 2021. However, the current conflict is a power struggle between the RSF and the SAF, as each faction’s leaders believe they are the country’s rightful leaders. The conflict has led to one of the largest displacement and hunger crises in the world, along with an increased risk of sexual violence against women.

Both regional and international organizations have responded to the crisis by providing emergency relief and attempting to reach a ceasefire between the RSF and SAF. In November 2024, the UN Security Council voted on a resolution, drafted by the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, aimed at advancing protective measures for civilians in Sudan. The resolution also demanded that RSF halt attacks on various Sudanese states and for both armed rival groups to cease warfare and engage, in good faith, in discourse about steps to de-escalate the conflict. Russian Federation vetoed the resolution therefore being the only member, out of the 15-member Council, to reject the resolution. The explanation of the veto provided by Russia’s representative is that it is the sole responsibility of the Sudanese government to regulate border control and set security measures for protecting Sudanese civilians therefore UN officials should cooperate with the government of Sudan and this resolution refuse the government this right.

However, whether Russia’s motivations for its overall participation in the Sudan Crisis are about ensuring the rights of African governments or about protecting its interests within the nation remains unclear. Russia has two main interests in Sudan: gold mining and the Red Sea Naval Base. In 2020, an agreement between Moscow and Khartoum established Russia’s first African military base in Port Sudan. Furthermore, the Wagner Group, a private Russian military group, for years, has expanded its economic interest in Sudan by working to secure lucrative gold mining concessions in the country and by smuggling gold from the country through Dubai to Russia. The RSF has been in control of the gold mining industry in Sudan for years. In return for permitting Russian companies to active gold mining with reform efforts from the RSF on corrupt practices of gold mining, the Wagner Group supplies military training and weapons to the RSF in the ongoing war against the SAF.

When the conflict began, Russia supported the RSF. However, recent reports have suggested that the country has aided both sides of the conflict. Therefore, is Russia’s veto a push against Western control of African governments or an attempt to use this crisis to their ends?

Article Written by Nicole Boadu

Sources:

Sudan Crisis-What you Need to Know, OPERATION BROKEN SILENCE (Jan. 2, 2024), available at https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/sudan-crisis-2024-what-you-need-to-know?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8qiYVDLjUFnKA3aj9TpwszOEiYwy_X_DoRm-z94lyo_5Xpu3W3l-FhoCYUEQAvD_BwE (last visited January 13, 2025).
Press Release, Security Council, Russian Federation Vetoes Security Council Resolution Aimed at Strengthening Measures to Protect Civilians, Increase Humanitarian Aid Access in Sudan, U.N. Press Release SC/15901 (Nov. 18, 2024).

Sala Adballa, Emerging Stage for Great Power Competition: Russia’s Influence in Sudan amid Political Turmoil, SECURITY CONTEXT, available at https://www.securityincontext.org/posts/emerging-stage-for-great-power-competition-russias-influence-in-sudan-amid-political-turmoil (last visited Jan. 13, 2024).

Oscar Rickett and Mohammed Amin, Sudan war: Russia hedges bets by aiding both sides in conflict, MIDDLE EAST EYE (May 6, 2024, 14:24 BST), available at https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/russia-sudan-war-saf-rsf-hedges-bets-both-sides-support (last visited Jan. 13, 2024).