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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms accused of hiring South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to Sudan to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in severe violations such as massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers first came to light last year, prompted by an report which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been hired to fight – an event that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company implicated in handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, American entities associated with Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement stated.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the actions as a "very significant" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute approving the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.