The European Union has imposed a ban on the purchase, import and transfer of gold from Sudan as part of new measures aimed at reducing the financial resources fueling the country’s ongoing conflict. The sanctions, announced by the European Council on Monday, also prohibit the sale, supply, transfer and export of mercury and cyanide to Sudan. These chemicals are widely used in gold mining and are considered critical to the country’s gold production industry. The EU said the restrictions are designed to weaken revenue streams that have helped sustain the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has raged since April 2023.
The sanctions include exemptions for humanitarian aid, medical supplies, public health emergencies and disaster response efforts to ensure assistance can continue reaching civilians affected by the conflict. Sudan’s gold sector has become one of the main sources of funding for the rival armed groups, with reports indicating that control of gold mines and smuggling networks has played a significant role in prolonging the war. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced more than 12 million people from their homes, according to United Nations estimates. The UN has repeatedly described the crisis in Sudan as the world’s worst humanitarian emergency, with millions facing hunger, disease and limited access to essential services.
