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The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms alleged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of committing genocide.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to combat beside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to horrific war crimes such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, after an report which disclosed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Colombian ex-soldiers have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their vast combat experience resulting from decades of civil war, knowledge of Nato equipment, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source was quoted as saying that training children was "awful and crazy" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier based in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a central role in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, American entities connected to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the department said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, labeled the actions as a "highly important" step, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Colombia has enacted a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and transform national security policy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.