🔗 Share this article South American Mercenaries in the Sudanese Conflict Reportedly Recruited by British-Based Firms Tucked away near a shiny football stadium of a Premier League club in the British capital is a plain, unremarkable apartment building. Behind its unremarkable beige brickwork exists a grim reality: a small flat connected to murderous atrocities unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per UK government records, this apartment in the capital is connected to a international web of companies involved in the large-scale hiring of mercenaries to fight in Sudan alongside militias accused of myriad war crimes and genocide. Hundreds of Former Colombian Military Enlisted A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to fight with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction responsible for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the systematic murder of civilians. Colombian mercenaries were key participants in the RSF's capture of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a killing frenzy that analysts say has claimed over 60,000 lives. As accounts of violence increase, connections have been identified between the fighters hired to capture El Fasher and locations in the city of London. UK Address Linked to Sanctioned Company The apartment in north London is listed to a corporation named Zeuz Global, established by two individuals named and sanctioned recently by the US treasury for hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat for the RSF. Both individuals – Colombian nationals in their 50s – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in Britain. The firm is active. The day after the US treasury announced restrictions on those behind the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its official location to the very heart of central London. Its updated address corresponds to one five-star hotel in a central district. The establishments in question stated they had no connection to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the company had used their postcodes. "It is of serious worry that the primary figures the American authorities states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to set up a UK company based from a apartment in north London," said an expert, a analyst and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan. Questions Raised Over British Firm Oversight Analysts say the situation raises concerns over how people publicly sanctioned by the US for "fueling the conflict in Sudan" were able to seemingly establish and operate a firm in the British capital. The British foreign secretary has condemned the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and sexual violence" following the group’s seizure of El Fasher. The RSF has been charged by the US with acts of genocide. When questioned about the company, Companies House did not comment on whether it had awareness of the firm’s activities or verify the residency status of the sanctioned individuals. Reaching out to Zeuz proved unsuccessful; its website, created in spring, was marked as "being built" with no contact details. Network Headed by Former Soldier According to the US treasury, the figure at the centre of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a citizen of two countries and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US alleges this individual of having a key part in hiring former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His wife was also penalized for running the firm. Another dual national was also sanctioned for overseeing a business accused of handling funds and salaries for the network hiring the Colombian fighters. "During 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual engaged in many wire transfers, totalling many millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement read. Firm Establishment and Escalating Violence In April of the current year, the penalized figures set up a firm in the UK capital named ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global. Three days later, the RSF attacked the Zamzam displacement camp, slaughtering over 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to Colombian mercenaries, who began planning for attacking El Fasher. The penalized people are listed in Companies House records as holding "initial shareholdings" in the firm, with one named as a person of "significant control". The two list Britain as their "country of residence". Impact on the War and Broader Concerns The recruitment of the Colombians has had a significant effect on the course of the conflict, analysts say. These nationals have reportedly trained children to be combatants, as well as serving as marksmen, foot soldiers, instructors, and pilots for unmanned aircraft. These drones proved key in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a hi-tech one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing daily civilian deaths," said the analyst. "These weapons require outside assistance to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a significant part of this external assistance." He added that the involvement of penalized persons in a UK company underlined wider worries over the absence of strict vetting when firms are established. "Having a UK company like this is a license for criminals to do deals with respectable entities. It's still harder to join a gym in most cases than to set up a UK company," he said. Government Response and Continuing Claims A government source said that the recent introduction of "mandatory identity verification" for company directors would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and controlling UK companies. The Colombians’ involvement in Sudan first came to light last year, prompting an expression of regret from the South American nation's government. One of the fighters recently admitted that he had trained children in Sudan and seen combat in El Fasher. The UAE, long accused of arming the RSF, has also been connected to the hiring of Colombian mercenaries. A report alleged that UAE nationals providing fighters to the RSF were connected to a high-ranking Emirati figure. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations. A British government spokesperson commented: "The UK is demanding an immediate end to atrocities, the protection of non-combatants, and the lifting of barriers to aid delivery." They noted that the UK had recently sanctioned RSF commanders for their role in the atrocities in El Fasher.
Tucked away near a shiny football stadium of a Premier League club in the British capital is a plain, unremarkable apartment building. Behind its unremarkable beige brickwork exists a grim reality: a small flat connected to murderous atrocities unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per UK government records, this apartment in the capital is connected to a international web of companies involved in the large-scale hiring of mercenaries to fight in Sudan alongside militias accused of myriad war crimes and genocide. Hundreds of Former Colombian Military Enlisted A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to fight with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction responsible for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the systematic murder of civilians. Colombian mercenaries were key participants in the RSF's capture of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a killing frenzy that analysts say has claimed over 60,000 lives. As accounts of violence increase, connections have been identified between the fighters hired to capture El Fasher and locations in the city of London. UK Address Linked to Sanctioned Company The apartment in north London is listed to a corporation named Zeuz Global, established by two individuals named and sanctioned recently by the US treasury for hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat for the RSF. Both individuals – Colombian nationals in their 50s – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in Britain. The firm is active. The day after the US treasury announced restrictions on those behind the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its official location to the very heart of central London. Its updated address corresponds to one five-star hotel in a central district. The establishments in question stated they had no connection to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the company had used their postcodes. "It is of serious worry that the primary figures the American authorities states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to set up a UK company based from a apartment in north London," said an expert, a analyst and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan. Questions Raised Over British Firm Oversight Analysts say the situation raises concerns over how people publicly sanctioned by the US for "fueling the conflict in Sudan" were able to seemingly establish and operate a firm in the British capital. The British foreign secretary has condemned the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and sexual violence" following the group’s seizure of El Fasher. The RSF has been charged by the US with acts of genocide. When questioned about the company, Companies House did not comment on whether it had awareness of the firm’s activities or verify the residency status of the sanctioned individuals. Reaching out to Zeuz proved unsuccessful; its website, created in spring, was marked as "being built" with no contact details. Network Headed by Former Soldier According to the US treasury, the figure at the centre of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a citizen of two countries and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US alleges this individual of having a key part in hiring former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His wife was also penalized for running the firm. Another dual national was also sanctioned for overseeing a business accused of handling funds and salaries for the network hiring the Colombian fighters. "During 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual engaged in many wire transfers, totalling many millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement read. Firm Establishment and Escalating Violence In April of the current year, the penalized figures set up a firm in the UK capital named ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global. Three days later, the RSF attacked the Zamzam displacement camp, slaughtering over 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to Colombian mercenaries, who began planning for attacking El Fasher. The penalized people are listed in Companies House records as holding "initial shareholdings" in the firm, with one named as a person of "significant control". The two list Britain as their "country of residence". Impact on the War and Broader Concerns The recruitment of the Colombians has had a significant effect on the course of the conflict, analysts say. These nationals have reportedly trained children to be combatants, as well as serving as marksmen, foot soldiers, instructors, and pilots for unmanned aircraft. These drones proved key in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a hi-tech one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing daily civilian deaths," said the analyst. "These weapons require outside assistance to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a significant part of this external assistance." He added that the involvement of penalized persons in a UK company underlined wider worries over the absence of strict vetting when firms are established. "Having a UK company like this is a license for criminals to do deals with respectable entities. It's still harder to join a gym in most cases than to set up a UK company," he said. Government Response and Continuing Claims A government source said that the recent introduction of "mandatory identity verification" for company directors would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and controlling UK companies. The Colombians’ involvement in Sudan first came to light last year, prompting an expression of regret from the South American nation's government. One of the fighters recently admitted that he had trained children in Sudan and seen combat in El Fasher. The UAE, long accused of arming the RSF, has also been connected to the hiring of Colombian mercenaries. A report alleged that UAE nationals providing fighters to the RSF were connected to a high-ranking Emirati figure. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations. A British government spokesperson commented: "The UK is demanding an immediate end to atrocities, the protection of non-combatants, and the lifting of barriers to aid delivery." They noted that the UK had recently sanctioned RSF commanders for their role in the atrocities in El Fasher.