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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities accused of recruiting South American contractors to support and educate a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Revealing the sanctions on Tuesday, the Treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged last year, prompted by an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 retired troops had been contracted to fight – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge gleaned from years of internal conflict, training on Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained minors, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "terrible and insane" but noted that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier located in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company implicated in processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers linked to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "highly important" milestone, stating that "targeting the enablers is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government has enacted a piece of legislation approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform its security approach.

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".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The UAE has been frequently alleged of arming the RSF, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," he advised.