🔗 Share this article

The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, after an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that prompted an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In the conflict, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say oversaw a company linked to managing finances and payments for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" step, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.