Changes to arms embargos against Central African Republic and South Sudan
Bern, 04.12.2018 - On 30 November 2018 the Federal Council amended the ordinances on measures against the Central African Republic and the Republic of South Sudan. The provisions of the arms embargo currently in place have been amended to reflect the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. The changes come into effect on 14 December.
The derogations from current arms embargo against the Central African Republic and the Republic of South Sudan have been amended based on UN Resolutions 2399 and 2428. In particular, changes have been made to the procedure for including the responsible UN sanctions committee in the approval process. The changes to these two ordinances are not expected to affect arms exports to the countries in question as these exports continue to be subject to the provisions of the War Material Act (WMA) and the Goods Control Act (GCA) and their associated ordinances.
In addition to banning the supply of arms and related materiel, both ordinances involve the freezing of assets and economic resources of persons and entities whose actions directly or indirectly undermine peace, security and stability in the Central African Republic and the Republic of Southern Sudan. The persons listed are additionally subject to an entry and transit ban.
On 14 March 2014 the Federal Council adopted the Ordinance on Measures against the Central African Republic, in order to implement in Swiss law the sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council in Resolutions 2127 (2013) and 2134 (2014). Currently eleven people and two organisations have financial and travel sanctions imposed on them under this ordinance.
The Federal Council also adopted the Ordinance on Measures against the Republic of South Sudan on 12 August 2015, thereby implementing in Swiss law the financial and travel sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2206 (2015). At the same time, the Federal Council imposed an arms embargo on the Republic of South Sudan in line with measures taken by the European Union (EU). As the UN Security Council also imposed an arms embargo in Resolution 2428 (2018), the existing derogation provisions had to be adapted. At present, nine persons are subject to the financial and travel sanctions provided for in this ordinance.
Address for enquiries
Fabian Maienfisch,
Deputy Head of Communications,
SECO
Tel. 058 462 40 20
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch
