🔗 Share this article

The Washington has levied restrictions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Network Composition

Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction linked to terrible atrocities encompassing targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, following an investigation which revealed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities said he had a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying 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 national who authorities say oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions connected to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges external actors to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, called the actions as a "highly important" milestone, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, the Colombian government has enacted a statute ratifying the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape national security policy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.