EU Council targets gold trade fueling conflict in Sudan

EU Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/1705 and Regulation (EU) 2026/1724 to strengthen the EU's Sudan sanctions regime by targeting the war economy that finances the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The measures introduce a new Article 2a prohibiting the purchase, import or transfer of gold originating in and exported from Sudan after 15 July 2026, and a new Article 2b prohibiting the sale, supply, transfer or export of mercury and cyanide (goods used in gold mining/exploitation, including CN code 2837 11) to any person, entity or body in Sudan or for use there, with both prohibitions extending to related technical assistance, brokering, and financial services; exceptions apply for gold needed for the official purposes of immune diplomatic missions, consular posts and international organizations, for goods intended for humanitarian purposes, public health emergencies, disaster response, or mitigation of serious risks to health, safety or the environment, and for wind-down of pre-existing mercury/cyanide contracts concluded before 15 July 2026, whose execution is permitted until 16 January 2027.