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The US government has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of horrific war crimes such as ethnically targeted slaughter and large-scale abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered last year, prompted by an report which found that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that resulted in an rare mea culpa from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the mercenaries have reportedly trained underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the UAE. The government said he had a key part in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged ran a firm accused of managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "very significant" development, stating that "targeting the enablers is the right way to go".

Furthermore, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.