Sudan · updated 2h ago · 3 min read
Switzerland Bans Purchase, Import, Transit of Sudanese Gold to Cut War Financing
Switzerland bans purchase, import, and transit of Sudanese gold. Measures align with EU sanctions and ban related services and financial support.
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Gold sanctions take effect
Switzerland’s Federal Council has sanctioned gold from Sudan by banning the purchase, import and transit of gold originating from Sudan, and by prohibiting related services and the granting of financial assistance connected to that gold.
“The bans will be incorporated into the Federal Council’s Ordinance on measures against Sudan”
The measures also prohibit the sale and supply to Sudan of certain goods and chemicals used in gold mining and gold extraction, and they are in force from 10 September 2026.
The Federal Council said it joined the European Union after the EU implemented sanctions from 13 July 2026, and it framed the move as concern over the “dire humanitarian situation” in Sudan.
The Swiss government said gold is “reportedly a key resource for the ongoing conflict in Sudan,” and it said the bans will be incorporated into its Federal Council’s Ordinance on measures against Sudan, which has been active since 2005.
The ordinance already includes an arms embargo and targeted financial and travel sanctions against 36 individuals, entities and companies, and Switzerland also has strict due diligence requirements on import of gold and other precious metals.
EU alignment and scope
Business Insider Africa reported that Switzerland’s ban aligns with EU sanctions and impacts an industry worth up to $12.7 billion annually, covering Sudanese gold shipped directly from Sudan and via third countries.
The same report said Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) confirmed that the restrictions cover Sudanese gold shipped directly or through third countries, and that the Swiss Federal Council said the measures also prohibit the transit of Sudanese gold and related financial and support services.
The Swiss measures are described as tightening due diligence and closing a key European route for Sudan-linked gold flows, with Geomechanics.io noting that the rules will be folded into Switzerland’s existing Ordinance on measures against Sudan.
Geomechanics.io also stated that the EU sanctions framework created October 2023 “now explicitly targets gold trade and extraction reagents,” including mercury and cyanide exports to Sudan.
Radio Tamazuj said the Swiss government described gold as a “key resource reportedly helping to finance Sudan’s war,” and that the measures take effect on Thursday.
War economy and compliance
The sanctions come as gold remains central to Sudan’s wartime economy, with Business Insider Africa saying both sides of the conflict are accused of relying on the trade to finance their operations.
“only 14.7 tonnes were declared as exports”
Business Insider Africa reported that Sudan produced an estimated 74.6 tonnes of gold in 2025, while Sudan’s armed forces reported 70 tonnes of production in 2025 and only 14.7 tonnes were declared as exports.
The report said SWISSAID estimates Sudan’s annual production at between 80 and 90 tonnes, worth CHF9.2 billion to CHF10.3 billion, while official figures and declared exports are considerably lower.
Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson Ineke Zeldenrust told The Guardian that the audit system is “fundamentally broken” because “audits consistently miss the most dangerous conditions because they are announced in advance and rely on documents rather than worker testimony.”
Geomechanics.io added that for refiners, traders and chemical suppliers, the Swiss rules “effectively closes a key European route for Sudan-linked gold flows,” tightening due-diligence for technical, brokering and financial services linked to Sudanese gold.