SECO updates SESAM to implement UN DRC sanctions listings (17 July 2026)
Swiss financial intermediaries must freeze assets and block transactions for the newly listed DRC persons/organisations and report affected business relationships to SECO under the DRC sanctions ordinance
Change
On 17 July 2026 SECO updated the Swiss sanctions database (SESAM) to incorporate the UN Sanctions Committee's 16 July 2026 amendments to the Democratic Republic of Congo listings, making the listings directly applicable in Switzerland.
Why it matters
The update imposes immediate asset-freeze and transaction-prohibition duties under SR 946.231.12 that apply in Switzerland. Reporting affected relationships to SECO is required but does not replace the intermediary's AML duties: intermediaries must carry out additional enquiries under Art. 6 GwG and, if suspicions cannot be resolved, file an immediate report to the money-laundering reporting office under Art. 9 GwG.
Implications
- — Swiss financial intermediaries holding accounts, assets or business relationships with the newly listed DRC parties must block those assets, prevent transactions, and report the affected relationships to SECO as required by SR 946.231.12.
- — Swiss financial intermediaries must initiate additional enquiries under Art. 6 GwG on any suspicions arising from these relationships and, if the suspicions cannot be resolved, immediately file a report to the Money Laundering Reporting Office (MROS) under Art. 9 GwG.
Who is affected
- — Swiss financial intermediaries
What to watch
- — Effective: 17 July 2026 — SECO updated SESAM and the UN committee's DRC listings are directly applicable in Switzerland.