The European Union has imposed a ban on the import of gold from Sudan, citing the trade as a primary source of funding for the nation's devastating civil war. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the regular Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has triggered one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, displacing more than 14 million people from their homes.
Sudan, one of Africa's largest gold producers, possesses vast reserves that have become a critical revenue stream for both warring factions. EU foreign ministers approved the new measures, which also include a ban on the export to Sudan of mercury and cyanide – chemicals extensively used in gold mining. The EU Council stated that these restrictions are designed to "reduce the resources" available to those perpetuating the violence and to "curb sources of financing for the conflict."
According to UN experts and various analysts, a substantial portion of Sudan's gold, estimated to be between 50% and 70%, is smuggled out of the country annually. The RSF reportedly controls most of the goldfields in the western and central regions of Darfur and Kordofan, while the Sudanese army oversees production in the northern and eastern areas. This illicit gold is frequently trafficked through neighbouring countries such as Egypt, Chad, and Libya, before often reaching Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a major global hub for gold refining and trade.
Under the new restrictive measures, EU individuals and companies are prohibited from purchasing, importing, or transporting gold originating in Sudan. Exemptions for mercury and cyanide exports will be made only for humanitarian and public-health purposes. These latest restrictions build upon a broader EU sanctions regime that has already targeted individuals and entities accused of fuelling the conflict, seeking to increase pressure on those responsible for the ongoing violence.
However, experts caution that sanctions alone may not be sufficient to halt the illicit trade, particularly if major international gold trading hubs and regional transit routes do not also tighten enforcement against illegally sourced Sudanese gold. The international community continues to increase pressure on those backing the conflict, as aid agencies report that over 28 million people in Sudan are currently facing acute hunger, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the crisis.