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

Network Composition

Announcing the measures on this week, the Treasury stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of terrible atrocities including targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered last year, after an report which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the UAE. The Treasury accused him a central role in recruiting and deploying ex-military personnel to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged oversaw a company accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, US-based firms associated with Duque conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions," the government release said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the combatants," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the actions as a "highly important" development, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

Furthermore, Bogotá has enacted a statute ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The Emirati government has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.