Published on 23 July 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Sudan

Although Sudan has considerable economic potential, bilateral trade and investment remain limited. Switzerland is engaged in the fields of humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and development cooperation. Sudan is part of the Greater Horn of Africa, a priority region under Switzerland's Africa Strategy 2025–28.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland recognised Sudan's independence in 1956 and established diplomatic relations in 1960. A year later, it opened a diplomatic representation in the capital, Khartoum. The Swiss embassy in Khartoum has been temporarily closed since 23 April 2023. The Swiss ambassador in Cairo has also been accredited as chargé d'affaires for Sudan since March 2025.

Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, Switzerland has significantly stepped up its humanitarian and peacebuilding work in Sudan. Since the outbreak of the war, Switzerland has already allocated around USD 266 million to humanitarian aid, as well as to development cooperation and peacebuilding measures in Sudan and neighbouring countries (as at July 2026).

Treaty database

Switzerland's engagement in Sudan: latest updates

Economic cooperation

Since the start of the war, bilateral trade has fallen significantly compared with the pre-war trade volume of CHF 34 million in 2022. Swiss exports to Sudan consist mainly of machinery, electronics and equipment, as well as chemical and pharmaceutical products.

In December 2020, the US removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. In line with its international obligations, Switzerland continues to implement the UN sanctions.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE)

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers who are citizens of Sudan can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for a Swiss Government Excellence Fellowship.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Measures to promote peace and human security

Among Switzerland's earlier peace initiatives is its contribution to the ceasefire process (the Nuba Mountains Ceasefire Agreement) which was negotiated and signed in Switzerland in 2002. The agreement paved the way for further negotiations that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the Sudanese government in 2005.

In 2021, Switzerland decided to step up its cooperation with Sudan in the areas of peacebuilding, support for the transition to democracy and the promotion of human rights.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Switzerland has been running a humanitarian programme in Sudan for many years now. The programme supports the most vulnerable groups of the population. Today, Sudan is one of the priority countries for Swiss humanitarian aid and peace policy. Support is provided both within Sudan and in the affected neighbouring countries.

Switzerland is continuing to support the Sudanese people with its Cooperation Programme 2026–29, which focuses on peace policy (conflict resolution and peacebuilding), the protection of the civilian population, as well as food security and safeguarding livelihoods.

Switzerland's humanitarian aid focuses on food security and safeguarding livelihoods, the protection of the civilian population, and migration. As well as providing emergency relief, Switzerland also supports the development of sustainable solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Cultural exchanges

Charles Bonnet, a Swiss archaeologist and professor emeritus at the University of Geneva, conducted excavations and research in the Nubian Desert for almost half a century. His work made a significant contribution to our understanding of the Kingdom of Kerma and the ancient city of Dukki Gel. In January 2003, he headed a team of Swiss archaeologists who discovered seven monumental statues of Nubian kings, carved from black granite, at Dukki Gel. These pharaohs, known as the ‘Black Pharaohs’ of the 25th Dynasty, ruled over both Egypt and Sudan for around a century.

In order to preserve archaeological finds and make them accessible to the public, Switzerland and Sudan jointly developed and funded the Kerma Museum, which opened in 2008.

Swiss citizens in Sudan

According to the statistics on the Swiss abroad, a total of 14 Swiss nationals were living in Sudan in 2025. According to the State Secretariat for Migration, 1,173 Sudanese nationals were living in Switzerland as at May 2026.

History of bilateral relations

Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Sudan are relatively new. Switzerland's position on dispute settlement and international humanitarian law partly determines the nature of its relations with Sudan.

Sudan's centuries-long close ties with Egypt came to a formal end in 1956, when the joint administration of the Anglo–Egyptian Sudanese condominium relinquished control of the country. Switzerland recognised Sudan as an independent state in 1956 and established diplomatic relations in 1960. A year later, it opened a diplomatic representation in the capital, Khartoum.

Sudan, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Documents

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