European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday 13 July to strengthen the European Union’s restrictive measures concerning the situation in Sudan by targeting sources of financing for the conflict. The purchase, import or transfer into the EU of gold originating in the country has been banned, as has the sale, supply, transfer or export of mercury and cyanide to Sudan.
These two measures are accompanied by a ban on providing associated services: - technical assistance; - brokering services; - financial assistance.
However, the Council of the European Union decision also provides for derogations. The restrictions applicable to mercury and cyanide do not apply to goods intended for humanitarian purposes, public health emergencies or disaster relief operations.
The decision will shortly be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
EU urges “all foreign actors” to immediately end any support. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, had urged on Friday 10 July “all foreign actors” to “immediately end any direct or indirect support which enables and intensifies the conflict to continue”, noting also the ‘Berlin Principles for Sudan’.
Ms Kallas’s statement on behalf of the EU once again did not name any foreign actor in particular. However, the United Arab Emirates are regularly accused of providing logistical support to Sudanese paramilitaries, which have stepped up attacks around El Obeid, in North Kordofan.
Moreover, on Thursday 9 July, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for European Union sanctions against the organisation ‘Global Security Services Group’, which was established in the Emirates (see EUROPE 13906/28). Three days earlier, the UN Human Rights Council had ordered an urgent investigation in the face of the “ imminent risk of large-scale atrocities”.
“We cannot pretend we do not know what is happening. If we are serious about defending human rights, we must also be serious about confronting those who finance and fuel this war”, said MEP Nela Riehl (Greens/EFA).
On Friday, Ms Kallas reiterated the EU’s call on “all parties” in favour of a lasting ceasefire.
“Any attack that targets the civilian population, prevents their safe passage or any action that intentionally obstructs humanitarian access to persons in need constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and will lead the EU to consider robust measures against those responsible.”, the High Representative warned. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)