🔗 Share this article United States Enforces Sanctions on Network Accused of Recruiting South American Contractors to the Sudanese Conflict. The US government has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group the United States claims of committing genocide. Group Makeup Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the operation was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies. Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in severe violations including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions. Emergence of Involvement The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, prompted by an report which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to fight – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry. Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training. Activities in Sudan In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have been accused of teaching underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way". Targeted Persons Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well. Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the recruitment operation. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the official announcement noted. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his operations. "Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the agency announced. Reaction Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go". Furthermore, Bogotá ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach. A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade". "This is a shadow economy and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.