🔗 Share this article Washington Levies Sanctions on Group Accused of Funneling Colombian Fighters to Sudan. The US government has enforced penalties on a network of several persons and entities accused of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of acts of genocide. Network Composition Disclosing the restrictions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia. Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions. Revelation of Role The involvement of Colombian fighters initially emerged the previous year, after an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá. Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and superior tactical education. Reported Actions In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and engaged in frontline combat. One source was quoted as saying that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict". Sanctioned Individuals Among those penalized was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well. Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged managed a business implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement said. Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the firm she operated accused of financial transactions linked to Duque and his operations. "The United States again calls on external actors to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement. Reaction An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy". It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy. Another expert, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating the growing mercenary trade". "This is a shadow economy and based out of the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.