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The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of several persons and entities alleged of enlisting South American contractors to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to severe violations encompassing targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, following an inquiry which revealed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been contracted to fight – an event that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that training children was "terrible and insane" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Named Entities

Among those targeted was a dual national, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The Treasury said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Duque Botero, a dual national who officials alleged ran a firm linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, amounting to millions," the official announcement stated.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his operations.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of funding and arms to the warring parties," the agency stated.

Reaction

Elizabeth Dickinson, from a conflict think tank, described the measures as a "very significant" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in international fights and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "penalties are required yet incomplete for combating rampant mercenarism".

"This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he commented. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, allegations it disputes. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.