The EU has imposed sanctions on gold imports from Sudan, seemingly to help cut off revenue streams to the warring parties in the country. However, these sanctions are one-sided and are more harmful to the Sudanese government than to the Rapid Support Forces, which the EU has recently proposed designating as a terrorist organisation.
The UAE is the main sponsor and backer of the RSF, and in exchange for its support, it is siphoning gold from mines controlled by the RSF in Darfur. Independent investigations including by The Sentry have individuated several UAE entities importing gold from the RSF including Aoun Commercial Brokers, Al Zumoroud and Al Yaqoot Gold & Jewellers Trading (also known as AZ Gold). These entities were also previously sanctioned by the US government. Swiss entities are also importing gold from the UAE potentially sourced from Sudan.
The EU’s policy on Sudan is very contradictory and highly confusing and is highly being influenced by the UAE which is a close Israeli ally. The latest sanctions will do nothing to prevent the RSF from con continuing its genocidal war in Sudan who are currently besieging the city of El Obeid.
The press release by the EU Council can be found here.
Website Editor
Historian and Publisher
Leave a Reply