Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Südsudan
Executive Summary
FINMA has published an update notifying financial intermediaries of changes to Annex 2 of the Ordinance on Measures against the Republic of South Sudan (SR 946.231.169.9), as announced by SECO on August 18, 2025, effective August 20, 2025. This matters because it imposes immediate asset freeze and transaction ban obligations on Swiss financial institutions with exposure to newly or modified sanctioned entities, aligning with UN Security Council Resolution 2206 (2015) and EU measures to address South Sudan's ethnic conflict, human rights violations, and humanitarian crisis. Compliance failure risks enforcement actions under the Embargo Act (EmbG) and AML regulations (GwG). #
What Changed
- SECO amended Annex 2 of the Ordinance, likely adding, removing, or modifying listings of sanctioned persons, companies, or organizations related to South Sudan. - The update requires implementation of prohibitions (e.g., no new business), asset freezing for listed parties, and reporting of affected relationships to SECO. - Changes stem from ongoing enforcement of UN and EU sanctions, with Switzerland implementing via the Embargo Act; Annexes are dynamically updated. #
What You Need To Do
- Screen client portfolios, transactions, and relationships against the updated SESAM database and Annex 2 via FINMA's website or MyFINMA portal
- Freeze assets of newly listed parties without delay; block prohibited transactions
- Report affected business relationships to SECO promptly; conduct additional GwG Art
- Update internal sanctions screening systems and train staff; document compliance for audit trails
Key Dates
Compliance Impact
Urgency: High - Immediate effect from August 20, 2025, mandates asset freezes and reporting with no grace period, exposing non-compliant firms to FINMA enforcement, fines, or reputational damage under EmbG and GwG. South Sudan sanctions are niche but cumulative updates (e.g., similar to Sudan changes) heighten screening fatigue risks; firms with Africa desks must prioritize to avoid inadvertent vi
Who is Affected
Summary
Das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO) hat eine Änderung des Anhangs 2 der Verordnung vom 12. August 2015 über Massnahmen gegenüber der Republik Südsudan (SR 946.231.169.9) publiziert.