Washington Levies Restrictions on Network Accused of Funneling South American Mercenaries to the Sudanese Conflict.
The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms alleged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.
Group Makeup
Revealing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.
Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a force accused of horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and large-scale abductions.
Emergence of Involvement
The role of these mercenaries first came to light last year, after an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an discovery that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.
Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and high-level combat training.
Reported Actions
In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "awful and crazy" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".
Targeted Persons
Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The government accused him a central role in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.
Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm accused of handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.
Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his companies.
"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the Treasury stated.
Reaction
An expert, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".
It was also noted that, Bogotá recently passed a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and reshape domestic defense strategy.
Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, urged more caution, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".
"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," he advised.
