EU  imposes sanctions on Sudan’s Meroe gold company

March 2, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Council of the European Union this week imposed new sanctions on the Meroe gold mining company which is linked to the Wagner group.

In a statement issued on February 25, the Council which is part of the law-making process in the European Union said that the activities of the Russian mercenary group endanger international peace and security and threaten the people in the countries where they operate and the European Union.

The blacklisted Wagner’s companies in Sudan Meroe Gold and M-Invest, and the head of the latter.

“These companies, together with Lobaye Invest Sarlu and Diamville in the CAR (Central African Republic)  are sanctioned in view of their role in illegally trading gold and diamonds looted by force from local traders”.

The sanctions include asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to the targeted companies.

The owners and officials are also subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The Meroe Gold and M-Invest are still operating in Sudan despite sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of Treasury for acting as covers for Wagner’s mining activities.

On June 20, 2022, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan the head of the military led-government denied the involvement of the Russian “Wagner” group in gold mining in the country.

Last February, the Associated Press reported that the Sudanese military leaders have received repeated U.S. messages about Wagner’s growing influence in recent months, via Egypt and Gulf states.

(ST)