Watchdog denounces import of Russian gold linked to Sudan abuses in Switzerland

ZÜRICH, MAY 11, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – Switzerland has in February this year imported a large amount of Russian gold linked to the ongoing conflict and human rights abuse in Sudan despite the international sanctions imposed against Russia as a result of its ongoing war on Ukraine, a local NGO said.

Christoph Wiedmer, co-director of Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) – a Swiss NGO campaigning for transparency in the gold sector, said the continued import of Russian gold is helping finance the Russia aggression in Ukraine and therefore violates international law.

“Despite sanctions, Russian gold is entering Switzerland that may be linked to human rights violations in Sudan as well as co-financing the war of aggression against Ukraine, which is against international law,” Wiedmer is quoted by Swiss media as saying.

He said that that at least 18.9 tons of gold – which could include gold acquired by Yevgency Prigozhin, the head of the notorious Russian mercenary Wagner Group suspected to be fighting for Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces against the army – was imported from Russia in February alone.

“In recent years, the Wagner troops have been supporting authoritarian regimes in Sudan, Chad and Central Africa,” says the NGO in a statement. “In return for military support, Wagner receives economic benefits, in Sudan, for example, access to gold deposits there.”

The paramilitary group reportedly arrived in Sudan in 2017 at the invitation of then-President Omar al-Bashir. It set up Meroe Gold, a Prigozhin-controlled company, which was later sanctioned by the United States, to run its operations and explore gold resources in the African nation.

Like the EU, Switzerland has placed the Wagner Group on its sanctions list.