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The US government has levied restrictions on a network of four people and four firms charged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Sudanese RSF militia, a force linked to terrible atrocities encompassing massacres based on ethnicity and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an investigation which found that more than 300 retired troops had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier located in the Dubai. The Treasury accused him a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm linked to managing finances and payments for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities linked to Duque conducted multiple financial transactions, amounting to millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have wire transfers connected to Duque and his companies.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the department announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the measures as a "highly important" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Bogotá ratified a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, aiming to curb decades of Colombian involvement in overseas wars and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for combating rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.