Russians Probed Over Gold in Sudan as West Vies for Influence
- Mining-firm employees questioned over alleged gold-smuggling
- Crackdown comes as US, EU seek to curb Russia’s role in Africa
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Dozens of Russians working for a mining company in Sudan are being probed by authorities on suspicion of gold-smuggling, in a potential setback for Moscow’s ambitions in the resource-rich North African state.
Sudanese prosecutors arrested one and summoned many more Russian employees for questioning this year, including just before and after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit in February, according to people familiar with the events. While his tour sought to shore up ties with friendly countries on the continent, Sudan’s moves were partly meant to appease Western powers concerned by Russia’s growing influence, said the people who asked not to be identified as they weren’t authorized to comment.