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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the operation was mostly comprised of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Scores of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, after an report which found that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to participate in the war – an revelation that resulted in an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have historically been seen as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from a long-running domestic war, familiarity with advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In Sudan, the Colombians have allegedly instructed underage fighters, provided drone warfare training, and fought directly on the frontlines. An individual involved remarked that training children was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and ex-soldier operating from the UAE. The government said he had a central role in hiring and sending mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say oversaw a company accused of processing money and salaries for the scheme. "Over the past two years, American entities associated with Duque engaged in several money transfers, worth millions," the government release stated.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the agency said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" development, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

She added that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit years of participation by its nationals in overseas wars and transform domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a authority on private military contractors, advised additional measures, stating that "sanctions are necessary but insufficient for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from Dubai, which is relatively sanction-proof," he said. The Emirati government has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, allegations it disputes. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," the expert cautioned.