🔗 Share this article Colombian Mercenaries in the Sudanese Conflict Reportedly Hired by British-Based Companies Situated close to the gleaming soccer ground of a Premier League club in the British capital lies a squat, nondescript apartment building. Behind its unremarkable facade lies a dark reality: a cramped second-floor apartment linked to murderous atrocities unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per UK government records, this one-bedroom flat in north London is connected to a transnational network of firms involved in the mass hiring of mercenaries to fight in the African nation alongside militias accused of numerous war crimes and genocide. Hundreds of Former Colombian Military Recruited A large number of former Colombian military personnel have been enlisted to fight with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group responsible for sexual violence, ethnic slaughter, and the widespread murder of civilians. Colombian mercenaries were directly involved in the RSF's capture of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in recent months, which sparked a killing frenzy that experts believe has claimed over 60,000 lives. While reports of violence increase, connections have been found between the fighters hired 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 company called Zeuz Global, established by two individuals named and sanctioned last week by the American authorities for recruiting contractors to fight for the RSF. Both individuals – Colombian nationals in their fifties – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in the United Kingdom. The company remains active. The day after the US treasury announced sanctions on those running the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its registered address to the very heart of London. Its new postcode corresponds to one five-star hotel in Covent Garden. Both hotels stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the company had listed their addresses. "It is of major concern that the key individuals the US government claims are directing this mercenary supply have been able to set up a UK company operating from a apartment in the capital," said an expert, a researcher and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Checks Analysts say the saga highlights questions over how people publicly sanctioned by the US for "fueling the civil war in Sudan" were able to apparently establish and operate a firm in the UK capital. The British foreign secretary has censured the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and sexual violence" following the faction's seizure of El Fasher. The RSF has been charged by the US with genocide. When questioned about Zeuz Global, Companies House did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s activities or verify the location of the sanctioned individuals. Reaching out to Zeuz was unsuccessful; its online site, set up in May, was labelled as "under construction" with lacking information. Network Led by Former Soldier Per the American authorities, the figure at the centre of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Gulf state. The US alleges this individual of playing a key part in recruiting ex-military personnel to be deployed to Sudan using a Colombian employment agency. His spouse was also penalized for running the firm. Another dual national was also sanctioned for overseeing a company alleged of handling funds and payroll for the network hiring the mercenaries. "During 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual conducted numerous bank transactions, amounting to millions of US dollars," the official announcement said. Company Registration and Intensifying Conflict In spring of this year, the penalized figures registered a company in the UK capital named ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global. Three days later, the RSF assaulted the Zamzam displacement camp, killing over 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to the hired fighters, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The sanctioned individuals are listed in official UK documents as owning "initial shareholdings" in the firm, with one identified as a key controller. The two list Britain as their "place of residency". Effect on the War and Broader Concerns The recruitment of the South Americans has had a profound impact on the trajectory of the war, analysts say. These fighters have allegedly trained children to be combatants, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and operators for drones. These drones were key in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a hi-tech one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing daily fatalities," said the expert. "These systems require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a major component of this external assistance." He added that the participation of sanctioned individuals in a UK company underlined wider worries over the lack of strict vetting when firms are set up. "Having a UK company like this is a license for criminals to do deals with respectable entities. It's still more difficult to join a gym in most cases than to set up a UK company," he stated. Government Response and Continuing Claims A government source said that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for corporate officers would provide more confidence about who was setting up and controlling UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first emerged last year, leading to an apology from the South American nation's government. One of the mercenaries recently confirmed that he had trained children in Sudan and fought in El Fasher. The UAE, repeatedly alleged of arming the RSF, has also been linked to the hiring of Colombian mercenaries. A investigation alleged that Emirati business people supplying Colombians to the RSF were linked to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has consistently denied these claims. A British government spokesperson commented: "The UK is demanding an immediate end to atrocities, the protection of non-combatants, and the removal of barriers to aid delivery." They added that the UK had recently imposed restrictions on RSF leaders for their part in the atrocities in El Fasher.
Situated close to the gleaming soccer ground of a Premier League club in the British capital lies a squat, nondescript apartment building. Behind its unremarkable facade lies a dark reality: a cramped second-floor apartment linked to murderous atrocities unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per UK government records, this one-bedroom flat in north London is connected to a transnational network of firms involved in the mass hiring of mercenaries to fight in the African nation alongside militias accused of numerous war crimes and genocide. Hundreds of Former Colombian Military Recruited A large number of former Colombian military personnel have been enlisted to fight with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group responsible for sexual violence, ethnic slaughter, and the widespread murder of civilians. Colombian mercenaries were directly involved in the RSF's capture of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in recent months, which sparked a killing frenzy that experts believe has claimed over 60,000 lives. While reports of violence increase, connections have been found between the fighters hired 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 company called Zeuz Global, established by two individuals named and sanctioned last week by the American authorities for recruiting contractors to fight for the RSF. Both individuals – Colombian nationals in their fifties – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in the United Kingdom. The company remains active. The day after the US treasury announced sanctions on those running the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its registered address to the very heart of London. Its new postcode corresponds to one five-star hotel in Covent Garden. Both hotels stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the company had listed their addresses. "It is of major concern that the key individuals the US government claims are directing this mercenary supply have been able to set up a UK company operating from a apartment in the capital," said an expert, a researcher and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Checks Analysts say the saga highlights questions over how people publicly sanctioned by the US for "fueling the civil war in Sudan" were able to apparently establish and operate a firm in the UK capital. The British foreign secretary has censured the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and sexual violence" following the faction's seizure of El Fasher. The RSF has been charged by the US with genocide. When questioned about Zeuz Global, Companies House did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s activities or verify the location of the sanctioned individuals. Reaching out to Zeuz was unsuccessful; its online site, set up in May, was labelled as "under construction" with lacking information. Network Led by Former Soldier Per the American authorities, the figure at the centre of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer located in the Gulf state. The US alleges this individual of playing a key part in recruiting ex-military personnel to be deployed to Sudan using a Colombian employment agency. His spouse was also penalized for running the firm. Another dual national was also sanctioned for overseeing a company alleged of handling funds and payroll for the network hiring the mercenaries. "During 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual conducted numerous bank transactions, amounting to millions of US dollars," the official announcement said. Company Registration and Intensifying Conflict In spring of this year, the penalized figures registered a company in the UK capital named ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global. Three days later, the RSF assaulted the Zamzam displacement camp, killing over 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to the hired fighters, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The sanctioned individuals are listed in official UK documents as owning "initial shareholdings" in the firm, with one identified as a key controller. The two list Britain as their "place of residency". Effect on the War and Broader Concerns The recruitment of the South Americans has had a profound impact on the trajectory of the war, analysts say. These fighters have allegedly trained children to be combatants, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and operators for drones. These drones were key in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a hi-tech one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing daily fatalities," said the expert. "These systems require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a major component of this external assistance." He added that the participation of sanctioned individuals in a UK company underlined wider worries over the lack of strict vetting when firms are set up. "Having a UK company like this is a license for criminals to do deals with respectable entities. It's still more difficult to join a gym in most cases than to set up a UK company," he stated. Government Response and Continuing Claims A government source said that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for corporate officers would provide more confidence about who was setting up and controlling UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first emerged last year, leading to an apology from the South American nation's government. One of the mercenaries recently confirmed that he had trained children in Sudan and fought in El Fasher. The UAE, repeatedly alleged of arming the RSF, has also been linked to the hiring of Colombian mercenaries. A investigation alleged that Emirati business people supplying Colombians to the RSF were linked to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has consistently denied these claims. A British government spokesperson commented: "The UK is demanding an immediate end to atrocities, the protection of non-combatants, and the removal of barriers to aid delivery." They added that the UK had recently imposed restrictions on RSF leaders for their part in the atrocities in El Fasher.