Sudan's military leaders sign $6mn deal with shady lobbyist

*The lobbying firm, whose previous clients include Mugabe and Gen Haftar, pledges to grant Sudan's military council diplomatic recognition through securing international funding, a meeting with Trump, and favourable media coverageA Canadian lobbying firm has signed a $6mn deal to clean up the image of feared Sudanese military leader Hemedti and grant his provisional military council diplomatic recognition and international funding, according to the contract document published by the US.The director of the firm, Ari Ben-Menashe, is a former Israeli intelligence operative whose firm has previously lobbied on behalf of former Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, and Libyan warlord Gen Khalifa Haftar, The New Arab web portal has reported.The contract was signed by Ben-Menashe and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, the deputy leader of Sudan’s military council.Montreal-based Dickens & Madsen Inc. will use the millions to ensure Sudan’s military council attains “recognition as the legitimate transitionary leadership of the Republic of the Sudan,” by securing high-level meetings and funding from the US, Russia and others, the document reveals.