Colombian Mercenaries Bolster RSF in Sudan War

The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023. It pits the national army against the RSF paramilitary group.Foreign mercenaries have joined both sides. According to an AFP investigation, Colombians form a sophisticated corps for the RSF.They were recruited for their drone and artillery expertise. This skill is rare among the RSF’s main forces.The promise was high pay. One former soldier said salaries reached $4,000 monthly.That sum is up to six times a Colombian army pension. The financial lure proved powerful for retired soldiers.Their deployment followed a complex route. Recruits first traveled to the UAE for brief training.From there, they moved to conflict zones. Two primary transit routes were used.One path went through eastern Libya. Another route involved an airbase in Bosaso, Somalia.Geolocated footage places these fighters in Darfur. They were present during the RSF’s brutal siege of El-Fasher.The United States has sanctioned individuals involved. Four Colombians and their companies were targeted in December.Washington did not name the Emirati node. That company is a private security contractor based in Abu Dhabi.

The Deadly Journey from Recruitment to Battlefield

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Recruitment often started on WhatsApp. Messages targeted retired Colombian military personnel.One drone specialist described the process to AFP. He was initially told the job was in Dubai.The offer changed later. The final destination was a tactical mission in Africa.Many fighters did not know they were heading to Sudan. Colombia’s government says some were tricked by trafficking networks.Those who accepted faced dangerous journeys. Their travel was designed to avoid detection.Some were not careful. A mercenary named Christian Lombana posted his travels on TikTok.His social media placed him in eastern Libya. This region is controlled by a UAE-backed strongman.Lombana’s convoy was later ambushed in Darfur. His passport, showing a Libya stamp, was found in the sand.Other fighters transited through Somalia. Local sources saw uniformed foreigners at a UAE-run airport section.Satellite imagery shows cargo planes linked to the network. These planes are identical to models seen in UAE and Libyan airbases.

A Network of Companies and Denials

Documents point to a retired Colombian colonel. Alvaro Quijano is named as a key figure.His former partner spoke to AFP. The goal was to place 2,500 Colombian men into the RSF ranks.Contracts routed salaries through a Panama firm. Payments were authorized by an Emirati security company.The UAE has repeatedly denied backing the RSF. A senior official called such claims “disinformation.”They stated the UAE is committed to a ceasefire. The official condemned atrocities by both warring sides.Evidence contradicts these denials. UN experts and U.S. lawmakers report Emirati support violates an arms embargo.The UAE has strategic interests in Sudan. These include gold deposits and access to the Red Sea coast.

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The story of Colombian mercenaries in Sudan reveals a shadowy side of modern warfare. It underscores how economic desperation and foreign interests fuel distant conflicts. The human cost remains tragically clear.

Disclaimer: This report is based on investigations by international news agencies, including AFP. It contains descriptions of war and violence that some readers may find distressing.

References: Agence France-Presse (AFP).