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The US government has levied restrictions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience acquired during a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities said he had a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who the Treasury stated ran a firm implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the company she managed said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "very significant" milestone, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government has enacted a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and change its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.