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The US government has imposed sanctions on a network of four individuals and four companies alleged of hiring Colombian mercenaries to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and fought directly on the frontlines. A mercenary remarked that training children was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the warring parties," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

A mercenary specialist, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and based out of the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.