🔗 Share this article

The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group linked to severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, following an report which disclosed that more than 300 former soldiers had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved remarked that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Named Entities

Among those penalized was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and former army officer based in the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a central role in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the final person to be targeted, with the company she managed accused of financial transactions connected to Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, called the measures as a "major" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, the Colombian government ratified a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.