The United States has sanctioned a network of individuals and companies accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to fight in Sudan, in an effort to cut support to armed groups involved in the country’s ongoing civil war.
The measures, announced by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), target persons and firms that officials say helped supply fighters to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been battling the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023.
Washington has accused the RSF of committing serious abuses against civilians during the war, including attacks in parts of the Darfur region.
Officials have also expressed concern that the involvement of foreign fighters is deepening the conflict and making it harder to reach a political solution.
Those sanctioned include Colombian nationals Jose Oscar Garcia Batte, Omar Fernando Garcia Batte and Jose Libardo Quijano Torres, as well as companies Fénix Human Resources S.A.S. and Global Qowa Al-Basheria S.A.S.
The network reportedly used recruitment agencies and intermediaries to arrange contracts, payments and travel for the RSF-bound fighters. Some of those recruited reportedly took on combat and technical roles, including operating drones and providing battlefield support in areas affected by heavy fighting.
Under the sanctions, any assets belonging to the listed individuals and companies that are held in the United States are frozen. US citizens and businesses are also prohibited from carrying out transactions with them.
“Violations of US sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on US and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis,” the statement reads.
In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving the designated persons and entities.
“The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person,” the statement reads.
“Non-US persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause US persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate US sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades US sanctions.”
The sanctions come as the war in Sudan continues to deepen a major humanitarian crisis.
Since April 2023, more than 150,000 people have reportedly been killed and around 12 million displaced, according to US estimates.
Fighting between the RSF and SAF has also led to famine conditions in some areas, as aid access remains limited.
In announcing the measures, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticised the lack of progress toward a ceasefire.
“It is unacceptable that the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have not committed to a humanitarian truce to address the devastating famine created by the civil war in Sudan,” he said.
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