Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Burundi
Executive Summary
The Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF/DEFR) has updated the annex to the Ordinance on Measures against Burundi (SR 946.231.121.8), modifying the list of sanctioned persons, companies, and organizations in the SESAM database. This matters for Swiss financial institutions as it imposes immediate asset freeze and transaction restrictions, aligning with FINMA's heightened focus on sanctions risks amid geopolitical tensions. #
What Changed
- Modification to the list of sanctioned individuals, enterprises, and organizations under the Burundi sanctions ordinance. - Update published in the SECO Sanctions Management (SESAM) database, which is the authoritative Swiss reference for sanctions compliance. - No details on specific additions, deletions, or alterations to designations are provided in the publication summary, but changes trigger mandatory screening and blocking obligations. #
What You Need To Do
- Screen clients, transactions, and assets against the updated SESAM database immediately upon effectiveness (post-8 October 2025, 23:00)
- Freeze assets of newly listed or modified sanctioned parties without prior notice and report to SECO/FINMA via MyFINMA notification system
- Cease any direct or indirect provision of funds/economic resources to sanctioned parties; conduct retrospective reviews of existing relationships for Burundi exposure
- Update internal sanctions screening tools, policies, and staff training to reflect SESAM changes; document compliance efforts for potential FINMA audits
Key Dates
Compliance Impact
Urgency: High - Immediate effectiveness (8 October 2025) requires swift database rescreening to avoid violations, with FINMA emphasizing sanctions evasion risks in its 2025 Risk Monitor amid geopolitical shifts; non-compliance risks enforcement actions, fines, or reputational damage.
Who is Affected
Summary
Das Eidgenössische Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF hat eine Änderung des Anhangs der Verordnung über Massnahmen gegenüber Burundi (SR 946.231.121.8) publiziert.