🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Restrictions on Network Alleged of Recruiting Colombian Contractors to Sudan. The US government has levied restrictions on a network of several persons and entities charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide. Group Makeup Revealing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions. Revelation of Role The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light the previous year, after an inquiry which revealed that over three hundred ex-military personnel had been recruited to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá. Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education. Role in the Conflict In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way". Sanctioned Individuals Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned. Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release noted. Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the company she managed accused of money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses. "The US once more urges external actors to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the agency announced. Expert Analysis An expert, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy". It was also noted that, Colombia ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape its security approach. A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism". "This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.