Sudan And Eritrea Plan Joint Oil Refineries Fisheries In Major Economic Pact
Sudan and Eritrea Forge Deepened Security and Economic Alliance
In a move signaling a significant strategic and economic alignment, Sudan and Eritrea have agreed to significantly boost cooperation across security, intelligence, and economic sectors.The comprehensive agreements follow a “historic” two-day visit by Sudan’s Prime Minister, Dr. Kamil Idris, to Asmara, where he met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.
Prime Minister Idris, speaking to reporters in Port Sudan upon his return on Friday, October 10, 2025, hailed the visit as fruitful and detailed a series of concrete steps being taken to deepen bilateral relations during a critical period for Sudan. The alliance underscores Eritrea’s strong support for the Sudanese government amid its ongoing internal conflict.
Key Agreements and Institutional Framework
The core of the new cooperation involves establishing and activating key institutional mechanisms to ensure the agreements are implemented.
- Joint Political Committee: An existing committee will be activated to oversee diplomatic engagement, ensuring high-level coordination on political and regional matters.
- New Economic Body: A completely new economic body is set to be established. Its mandate will be to oversee the bilateral projects and foster deeper economic integration between the two Red Sea nations.
- Regional Coordination: The leaders also agreed to coordinate their positions on regional and international developments, specifically mentioning Sudan’s potential return to the African Union and cooperation in other international forums.
High-Stakes Economic Ventures in the Red Sea
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of the new partnership lies in the joint economic ventures, which are focused on leveraging the shared resources and strategic location of the Red Sea:
- Marine Fisheries: Plans were revealed for large-scale marine fisheries operations in the Red Sea, aiming to capitalize on the rich maritime resources.
- Resource Processing: Significant new investments are planned for gold and oil refineries, alongside other joint ventures in the broader minerals sector. Â These projects aim to boost the economic output and processing capacity of both nations.
These economic projects highlight a shared vision for turning their Red Sea access into a major economic corridor, a strategic asset for both countries.
Security Cooperation and Eritrean Support
The agreement on enhanced security and intelligence cooperation formalizes a relationship that has already been visible amid Sudan’s internal war. PM Idris extended his “thanks and appreciation to the state of Eritrea… for the great support they have provided to Sudan in these exceptional circumstances.”
Eritrea has been widely reported as a key ally of the Sudanese government and its Armed Forces (SAF). This support includes:
- Hosting Training Camps: Press reports indicate that Eritrea has been hosting training camps for groups allied with the Sudanese army.
- Military Assets: Sources have also suggested that Sudan has sent some of its military aircraft to Eritrea for safekeeping, protecting them from drone attacks during large-scale hostilities in Sudan.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has consistently reiterated his country’s “principled and immutable” position of unequivocal support for Sudan’s unity and dignity, affirming Eritrea’s commitment to playing its part in finding a durable solution to the conflict, which the Sudanese government describes as an “imposed war.” The strengthening military and strategic ties are viewed as a critical move by Khartoum to solidify a dependable alliance in the volatile region.
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