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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies charged of enlisting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the measures on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force linked to horrific war crimes including massacres based on ethnicity and mass abductions.

Emergence of Involvement

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light last year, after an investigation which found that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to fight – an discovery that led to an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Activities in Sudan

In Sudan, the contractors have allegedly instructed child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. One source previously stated that training children was "horrific and irrational" but commented that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was a dual national, a dual Colombian-Italian national and ex-soldier based in the Dubai. The government alleged he played a pivotal function in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who the Treasury stated oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the network. "Recently, American entities linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted money transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the combatants," the agency announced.

Expert Analysis

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "very significant" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and change its security approach.

Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the UAE, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of arming the RSF, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.