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The US government has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms accused of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, after an report which found that over three hundred retired troops had been contracted to engage in combat – an discovery that led to an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but added that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business implicated in handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms connected to Duque carried out numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the official announcement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, Colombia has enacted a piece of legislation ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb its citizens' long history in international fights and reshape domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating widespread use of contractors".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.