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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a militia force in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered the previous year, prompted by an inquiry which found that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an discovery that resulted in an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during decades of civil war, familiarity with Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Reported Actions

In the conflict, the Colombians have been accused of teaching child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in recruiting and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was penalized as well.

Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated ran a firm accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement said.

Colombian national Mónica Muñoz was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated said to have conducted money transfers connected to Duque and his operations.

"The United States again calls on external actors to stop giving funding and arms to the belligerents," the department stated.

Reaction

A senior analyst, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the sanctions as a "highly important" milestone, saying that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a piece of legislation endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, aiming to curb years of participation by its nationals in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Another expert, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, saying that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It operates in the black market and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.