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The United States has levied restrictions on a group of four individuals and four companies accused of enlisting South American contractors to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Revealing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a group implicated in horrific war crimes encompassing ethnically targeted slaughter and widespread kidnappings.

Emergence of Involvement

The participation of ex-soldiers initially emerged last year, prompted by an inquiry which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been contracted to participate in the war – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

These South American veterans have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their considerable warzone knowledge acquired during years of internal conflict, familiarity with Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Targeted Persons

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer located in the UAE. The Treasury alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the restricted list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company linked to handling funds and payroll for the recruitment operation. "Recently, US-based firms linked to Duque carried out several money transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have money transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to halt the flow of monetary and weaponry aid to the belligerents," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, called the sanctions as a "major" step, stating that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a law approving the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape its security approach.

Another expert, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The UAE has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," the expert cautioned.