🔗 Share this article Colombian Contractors in the Sudanese Conflict Reportedly Recruited by UK-Registered Companies Tucked away close to a shiny football stadium of a Premier League club in London is a squat, nondescript apartment building. Behind its unremarkable beige brickwork exists a dark secret: a small flat linked to deadly atrocities unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per British official documents, this apartment in north London is tied to a transnational web of firms involved in the mass recruitment of mercenaries to combat in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of numerous war crimes and genocide. Hundreds of Former Colombian Military Recruited A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to serve with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group responsible for sexual violence, ethnic slaughter, and the systematic killing of women and children. These contractors were directly involved in the paramilitaries’ capture of the south-western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a killing frenzy that analysts say has cost over 60,000 lives. While reports of atrocities increase, connections have been found between the fighters contracted to capture El Fasher and addresses in the city of London. London Flat Connected to Censured Company The flat in Tottenham is listed to a corporation called Zeuz Global, established by two individuals identified and penalized recently by the US treasury for recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for the RSF. Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their fifties – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in Britain. The company is active. The following day the United States imposed restrictions on those running the recruitment network, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its registered address to the very heart of London. Its updated address corresponds to one luxury accommodation in a central district. Both hotels stated they had no connection to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the firm had listed their addresses. "It is of major concern that the primary figures the American authorities states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to establish a UK company based from a apartment in the capital," stated an expert, a analyst and former member of a UN panel on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Oversight Analysts say the saga raises questions over how people openly censured by the US for "fueling the conflict in Sudan" were able to apparently establish and operate a firm in the UK capital. The British foreign secretary has condemned the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and assault" following the faction's capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with acts of genocide. When questioned about Zeuz Global, Companies House did not comment on whether it had awareness of the company's activities or confirm the residency status of the sanctioned individuals. Contacting Zeuz was unsuccessful; its online site, created in spring, was labelled as "being built" with lacking information. Network Led by Former Soldier According to the American authorities, the man at the centre of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US alleges this individual of having a central role in recruiting ex-military personnel to be sent to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His wife was also penalized for owning and managing the firm. Another dual national was also sanctioned for overseeing a business alleged of processing money and payroll for the operation hiring the mercenaries. "During 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual engaged in numerous bank transactions, amounting to millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement said. Company Registration and Intensifying Conflict In April of the current year, the sanctioned individuals registered a firm in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global. Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam camp for displaced people, killing over 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to Colombian mercenaries, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The penalized people are listed in Companies House records as owning "starting shares" in the firm, with one named as a key controller. The two describe the UK as their "place of residency". Effect on the War and Broader Concerns The recruitment of the Colombians has had a significant effect on the course of the conflict, experts state. These nationals have allegedly trained children to be soldiers, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and pilots for unmanned aircraft. These drones were key in the capture of El Fasher and during fighting in other regions. "The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing daily fatalities," said the expert. "These weapons require outside assistance to operate. We know that the Colombian mercenary operation has been a significant part of this external assistance." He noted that the participation of sanctioned individuals in a UK company underlined broader concerns over the lack of rigorous checks when firms are established. "Having a UK company like this is a license for bad actors to do deals with respectable entities. It's still more difficult to join a fitness centre in most cases than to establish a UK company," he stated. Government Response and Continuing Claims A government source stated that the new rollout of "compulsory ID checks" for company directors would provide more confidence about who was setting up and running UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first came to light last year, prompting an expression of regret from the South American nation's government. One of the mercenaries recently admitted that he had instructed minors in Sudan and seen combat in El Fasher. The United Arab Emirates, repeatedly alleged of supplying weapons to the RSF, has also been linked to the recruitment of the contractors. A report alleged that Emirati business people providing Colombians to the RSF were linked to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has consistently denied these claims. A British government spokesperson said: "The UK is calling for an halt to atrocities, the protection of civilians, and the removal of barriers to aid delivery." They noted that the UK had recently sanctioned RSF commanders for their role in the crimes in El Fasher.
Tucked away close to a shiny football stadium of a Premier League club in London is a squat, nondescript apartment building. Behind its unremarkable beige brickwork exists a dark secret: a small flat linked to deadly atrocities unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per British official documents, this apartment in north London is tied to a transnational web of firms involved in the mass recruitment of mercenaries to combat in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of numerous war crimes and genocide. Hundreds of Former Colombian Military Recruited A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to serve with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group responsible for sexual violence, ethnic slaughter, and the systematic killing of women and children. These contractors were directly involved in the paramilitaries’ capture of the south-western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a killing frenzy that analysts say has cost over 60,000 lives. While reports of atrocities increase, connections have been found between the fighters contracted to capture El Fasher and addresses in the city of London. London Flat Connected to Censured Company The flat in Tottenham is listed to a corporation called Zeuz Global, established by two individuals identified and penalized recently by the US treasury for recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for the RSF. Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their fifties – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in Britain. The company is active. The following day the United States imposed restrictions on those running the recruitment network, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its registered address to the very heart of London. Its updated address corresponds to one luxury accommodation in a central district. Both hotels stated they had no connection to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the firm had listed their addresses. "It is of major concern that the primary figures the American authorities states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to establish a UK company based from a apartment in the capital," stated an expert, a analyst and former member of a UN panel on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Oversight Analysts say the saga raises questions over how people openly censured by the US for "fueling the conflict in Sudan" were able to apparently establish and operate a firm in the UK capital. The British foreign secretary has condemned the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and assault" following the faction's capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with acts of genocide. When questioned about Zeuz Global, Companies House did not comment on whether it had awareness of the company's activities or confirm the residency status of the sanctioned individuals. Contacting Zeuz was unsuccessful; its online site, created in spring, was labelled as "being built" with lacking information. Network Led by Former Soldier According to the American authorities, the man at the centre of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US alleges this individual of having a central role in recruiting ex-military personnel to be sent to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His wife was also penalized for owning and managing the firm. Another dual national was also sanctioned for overseeing a business alleged of processing money and payroll for the operation hiring the mercenaries. "During 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual engaged in numerous bank transactions, amounting to millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement said. Company Registration and Intensifying Conflict In April of the current year, the sanctioned individuals registered a firm in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global. Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam camp for displaced people, killing over 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to Colombian mercenaries, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The penalized people are listed in Companies House records as owning "starting shares" in the firm, with one named as a key controller. The two describe the UK as their "place of residency". Effect on the War and Broader Concerns The recruitment of the Colombians has had a significant effect on the course of the conflict, experts state. These nationals have allegedly trained children to be soldiers, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and pilots for unmanned aircraft. These drones were key in the capture of El Fasher and during fighting in other regions. "The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing daily fatalities," said the expert. "These weapons require outside assistance to operate. We know that the Colombian mercenary operation has been a significant part of this external assistance." He noted that the participation of sanctioned individuals in a UK company underlined broader concerns over the lack of rigorous checks when firms are established. "Having a UK company like this is a license for bad actors to do deals with respectable entities. It's still more difficult to join a fitness centre in most cases than to establish a UK company," he stated. Government Response and Continuing Claims A government source stated that the new rollout of "compulsory ID checks" for company directors would provide more confidence about who was setting up and running UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first came to light last year, prompting an expression of regret from the South American nation's government. One of the mercenaries recently admitted that he had instructed minors in Sudan and seen combat in El Fasher. The United Arab Emirates, repeatedly alleged of supplying weapons to the RSF, has also been linked to the recruitment of the contractors. A report alleged that Emirati business people providing Colombians to the RSF were linked to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has consistently denied these claims. A British government spokesperson said: "The UK is calling for an halt to atrocities, the protection of civilians, and the removal of barriers to aid delivery." They noted that the UK had recently sanctioned RSF commanders for their role in the crimes in El Fasher.