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UK sanctions gold and finance networks over Sudan war - RETUERS
By Sam Tabahriti (Reuters)
LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) — Britain announced sanctions targeting individuals and companies accused of financing Sudan's conflict through illicit gold trading and financial networks.
The sanctions target 11 individuals and entities linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), aiming to disrupt revenue streams supporting the war that began in 2023.
Those sanctioned include an alleged RSF financier operating through Dubai-based real estate, gold and holding companies, procurement operatives linked to the RSF, two UAE-based companies, one Hong Kong-based company and three Sudanese state-owned mining firms that Britain says are connected to financing the army.
The UK noted that Sudan's official gold exports were worth approximately US$1.5 billion across 2024 and 2025, while estimating that billions of dollars' worth of gold are smuggled abroad through illicit channels each year.
Britain also warned that El Obeid, a strategic city in central Sudan, faces the risk of mass atrocities and called for the United Nations arms embargo to be extended to cover the area.
The sanctions follow similar measures announced by the European Union earlier this week targeting Sudan's gold trade.
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Muvija M.
