Switzerland is to ban the purchase and import of gold originating from Sudan and restrict the sale of some goods used in gold mining, in line with sanctions adopted by the European Union.
The Swiss government said on Wednesday that the measures were aimed at curbing trade in gold, which it described as a key resource reportedly helping to finance Sudan’s war.
The measures will take effect on Thursday.
Under the new rules, Switzerland will prohibit the purchase, import and transit of gold originating from Sudan, as well as related services and financial assistance.
It will also ban the sale and supply to Sudan of certain goods used in gold mining and extraction, including chemicals.
The measures bring Switzerland into line with an EU decision adopted on 13 July targeting Sudan’s gold trade.
The EU restrictions ban the purchase, import and transfer of gold originating from Sudan, as well as the sale, supply, transfer or export of mercury and cyanide to Sudan. The measures also cover related technical assistance, brokering and financial services.
The Swiss Federal Council said it remained “extremely concerned” about the “dire humanitarian situation” in Sudan, where fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has continued since April 2023.
Gold has become an important source of revenue for both sides of the conflict, according to the EU, which has described the trade as part of Sudan’s “war economy”.
The new Swiss restrictions will be incorporated into the country’s existing Ordinance on measures against Sudan. Switzerland has used the ordinance to implement UN sanctions on Sudan since 2005 and has incorporated additional EU measures since 2023.
The sanctions regime includes an arms embargo and targeted financial and travel restrictions against 36 individuals, entities and companies, the Federal Council said.
Switzerland also applies due-diligence requirements to imports of gold and other precious metals, which it says are intended to prevent trade in conflict resources.
The EU established its sanctions framework for Sudan in October 2023, several months after fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.
The bloc has since expanded the sanctions to target people and entities accused of undermining Sudan’s stability and political transition.
In July, the EU widened the measures to target Sudan’s war economy, saying the restrictions were intended to curb sources of financing for the conflict.
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