US sanctions network recruiting Colombian fighters for Sudanese paramilitary

The United States has imposed sanctions on four individuals and four companies allegedly involved in a transnational network that recruits former Colombian military personnel to train soldiers fighting for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of numerous human rights violations.

The sanctions, announced Tuesday, target retired Colombian military officer Alvaro Andres Quijano Becerra and his wife, along with employment agency manager Mateo Andres Duque Botero. Several staffing agencies allegedly involved in processing payroll for Colombian fighters were also sanctioned.

Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, John K. Hurley, condemned the RSF’s actions, stating that “its brutality has deepened the conflict and destabilized the region, creating the conditions for terrorist groups to grow.”

The RSF has been engaged in a brutal civil war with Sudan’s military since April 2023. The conflict has devastated the country, with the United Nations reporting that at least 40,000 people have been killed, though human rights organizations suggest the actual death toll may be significantly higher. The war has triggered what many consider the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 14 million people and causing widespread famine in several regions.

The intensity of the violence has drawn international condemnation. Amnesty International has accused the RSF of war crimes, while the UN’s Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, recently warned of “a new wave of atrocities” amid escalating violence in Sudan’s central Kordofan region.

In a particularly concerning development, the U.S. Treasury Department reported that Colombian fighters supported the RSF during its capture of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26. The city fell after an 18-month siege and represented the Sudanese military’s last stronghold in the Darfur region. Following the capture, numerous human rights abuses were reported, including the execution of dozens of unarmed men and the rape of women and girls.

The U.S. government has previously accused the RSF of genocide in Darfur, a region with a long history of conflict and humanitarian crises. The International Criminal Court has also indicated it is investigating suspected war crimes committed during the current conflict.

The involvement of foreign fighters highlights the increasingly complex nature of Sudan’s civil war, which has drawn in various regional and international actors. The recruitment of former Colombian military personnel—who often have extensive combat experience—represents a concerning trend of professional soldiers being hired as mercenaries in conflict zones around the world.

The Sudan crisis has garnered attention from world leaders, including former President Donald Trump, who has expressed a desire to end the civil war. During a visit to Washington D.C. in November, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly requested Trump’s assistance in resolving the conflict. Similarly, Kenyan President William Ruto sought Trump’s support during a December meeting to address what he called the “humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.”

The sanctions represent the latest effort by the United States to apply pressure on those fueling the conflict. By targeting individuals and companies involved in recruiting and financing foreign fighters, U.S. authorities hope to disrupt the supply chain that enables the RSF to maintain its military operations.

As the conflict continues with no clear end in sight, international organizations warn that Sudan faces a protracted humanitarian emergency that could further destabilize the region and create conditions for extremist groups to expand their influence in East Africa.