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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting South American contractors to fight for and train a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Operation Structure

Announcing the measures on Tuesday, the American treasury stated the scheme was primarily made up of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have allegedly journeyed to the Sudanese warzone to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries was first uncovered the previous year, following an report which disclosed that hundreds of ex-military personnel had been recruited to participate in the war – an revelation that led to an unprecedented apology from the Colombian government.

Former Colombian military have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their considerable warzone knowledge resulting from a long-running domestic war, knowledge of Western military gear, and elite military instruction.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the mercenaries have reportedly trained child soldiers, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that training children was "awful and crazy" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the penalty list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who authorities say ran a firm implicated in processing money and salaries for the network. "Over the past two years, companies in the United States linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, worth millions," the government release said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the company she managed said to have conducted wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The United States again calls on foreign parties to stop giving monetary and weaponry aid to the warring parties," the department said in a statement.

Analyst Commentary

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the sanctions as a "highly important" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the proper strategy".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in overseas wars and transform its security approach.

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

"It operates in the black market and operating from Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he stated. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.