🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Restrictions on Operation Accused of Funneling South American Mercenaries to Sudan. The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms alleged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of acts of genocide. Network Composition Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies. Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings. Revelation of Role The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that over three hundred former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology 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 resulting from decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and elite military instruction. Role in the Conflict In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Targeted Persons Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted. Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged ran a firm linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement noted. Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies. "Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the department stated. Expert Analysis Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "major" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach". It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a piece of legislation ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and reshape its security approach. Another expert, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with widespread use of contractors". "It’s an illicit economy and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.