Russia-Africa military agreements and arms trade, and recent coups

Since 2015 Russia has signed military cooperation agreements with 43 African countries (as of November 2023). They entail varying levels of engagement, from broad and ceremonial agreements to more specific and substantial cooperation in areas such as military personnel training, weapons supply, counter terrorism support, and access to military or civilian ports and air bases. In countries where a coup has occurred, Russia has continued or strengthened its military cooperation.
While Russia tried to establish its own military bases in six countries (the Central African Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Madagascar, Mozambique and Sudan), it seems that only the agreement with Sudan is still actively being pursued. If finalised, it would allow Russia to establish a ‘logistical supply point’ in Port Sudan for military ships, including nuclear ships, and install up to 300 troops on the base. A Russian military presence in the Red Sea would have multiple strategic implications. By controlling strategic waterways in the area, Russia (and African partners) would notably gain a more prominent role in Middle Eastern geopolitics.