🔗 Share this article

The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, after an investigation which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the UAE. The government accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, American entities connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the agency said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.