🔗 Share this article Colombian Mercenaries in Sudan Reportedly Recruited by UK-Registered Companies Situated near the shiny soccer ground of a Premier League club in London is a squat, nondescript block of flats. Behind its ordinary facade exists a dark reality: a small flat linked to deadly crimes unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per UK government records, this apartment in the capital is connected to a transnational network of companies involved in the mass recruitment of mercenaries to combat in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad war crimes and ethnic cleansing. Hundreds of Ex- South American Soldiers Enlisted Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction blamed for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the systematic murder of civilians. These contractors were key participants in the RSF's seizure of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a wave of violence that experts believe has cost at least 60,000 lives. As reports of violence increase, links have been found between the mercenaries hired to capture El Fasher and locations in the UK capital. London Flat Connected to Sanctioned Company The apartment in Tottenham is registered to a corporation called Zeuz Global, established by two people identified and penalized recently by the US treasury for hiring contractors to fight for the RSF. Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their fifties – are listed in records at the UK company registry as living in the United Kingdom. The firm is active. The day after the US treasury announced sanctions on those behind the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its registered address to the centre of central London. Its updated address matches a luxury accommodation in a central district. Both hotels stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the firm had used their postcodes. "This is of major concern that the key individuals the US government 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 researcher and former member of a UN panel on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Checks Experts say the situation highlights questions over how individuals 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 UK's top diplomat has censured the RSF for "systematic killings, abuse and assault" following the faction's capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with genocide. When asked about Zeuz Global, the registry did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the company's operations or confirm the residency status of the penalized people. Contacting Zeuz proved fruitless; its online site, set up in spring, was labelled as "under construction" with no contact details. Operation Led by Former Soldier Per the US treasury, the man at the heart of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Gulf state. The US alleges this individual of having a central role 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 managing a business alleged of handling funds and payroll for the network employing the Colombian fighters. "During 2024 and 2025, companies in America associated with this individual conducted numerous bank transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement read. Firm Establishment and Intensifying Conflict In spring of the current year, the penalized figures registered a company in north London named ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global. Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam displacement camp, killing over 1,500 civilians. After its seizure, the site was transferred to Colombian mercenaries, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The penalized people are named in official UK documents as holding "starting shares" in the firm, with one named as a person of "significant control". Both describe Britain as their "country of residence". Impact on the Conflict and Broader Concerns The hiring of the Colombians has had a profound impact on the course of the war, analysts say. These nationals have reportedly instructed minors to be combatants, as well as acting as snipers, infantrymen, instructors, and pilots for unmanned aircraft. These drones proved instrumental in the capture of El Fasher and during fighting in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing daily fatalities," added the expert. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a significant part of this outside support." He added that the participation of penalized persons in a UK company highlighted wider worries over the lack of rigorous checks when companies are set up. "Having a UK company like this is a passport for bad actors to do business with respectable entities. It's still harder to join a gym in most cases than to set up a UK company," he said. Official Reaction and Continuing Claims A UK official stated that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for corporate officers would provide more confidence about who was establishing and running UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first emerged last year, leading to an expression of regret from the South American nation's government. One of the fighters recently admitted that he had instructed minors in Sudan and fought in El Fasher. The UAE, 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 supplying Colombians to the RSF were connected to a high-ranking Emirati figure. The UAE has repeatedly rejected these claims. A UK official commented: "The UK is calling for an halt to atrocities, the safety of civilians, and the removal of obstacles to aid delivery." They noted that the UK had also imposed restrictions on RSF leaders for their part in the crimes in El Fasher.
Situated near the shiny soccer ground of a Premier League club in London is a squat, nondescript block of flats. Behind its ordinary facade exists a dark reality: a small flat linked to deadly crimes unfolding a vast distance to the south. Per UK government records, this apartment in the capital is connected to a transnational network of companies involved in the mass recruitment of mercenaries to combat in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad war crimes and ethnic cleansing. Hundreds of Ex- South American Soldiers Enlisted Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction blamed for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the systematic murder of civilians. These contractors were key participants in the RSF's seizure of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a wave of violence that experts believe has cost at least 60,000 lives. As reports of violence increase, links have been found between the mercenaries hired to capture El Fasher and locations in the UK capital. London Flat Connected to Sanctioned Company The apartment in Tottenham is registered to a corporation called Zeuz Global, established by two people identified and penalized recently by the US treasury for hiring contractors to fight for the RSF. Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their fifties – are listed in records at the UK company registry as living in the United Kingdom. The firm is active. The day after the US treasury announced sanctions on those behind the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its registered address to the centre of central London. Its updated address matches a luxury accommodation in a central district. Both hotels stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the firm had used their postcodes. "This is of major concern that the key individuals the US government 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 researcher and former member of a UN panel on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Checks Experts say the situation highlights questions over how individuals 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 UK's top diplomat has censured the RSF for "systematic killings, abuse and assault" following the faction's capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with genocide. When asked about Zeuz Global, the registry did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the company's operations or confirm the residency status of the penalized people. Contacting Zeuz proved fruitless; its online site, set up in spring, was labelled as "under construction" with no contact details. Operation Led by Former Soldier Per the US treasury, the man at the heart of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer located in the Gulf state. The US alleges this individual of having a central role 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 managing a business alleged of handling funds and payroll for the network employing the Colombian fighters. "During 2024 and 2025, companies in America associated with this individual conducted numerous bank transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement read. Firm Establishment and Intensifying Conflict In spring of the current year, the penalized figures registered a company in north London named ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global. Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam displacement camp, killing over 1,500 civilians. After its seizure, the site was transferred to Colombian mercenaries, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The penalized people are named in official UK documents as holding "starting shares" in the firm, with one named as a person of "significant control". Both describe Britain as their "country of residence". Impact on the Conflict and Broader Concerns The hiring of the Colombians has had a profound impact on the course of the war, analysts say. These nationals have reportedly instructed minors to be combatants, as well as acting as snipers, infantrymen, instructors, and pilots for unmanned aircraft. These drones proved instrumental in the capture of El Fasher and during fighting in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing daily fatalities," added the expert. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a significant part of this outside support." He added that the participation of penalized persons in a UK company highlighted wider worries over the lack of rigorous checks when companies are set up. "Having a UK company like this is a passport for bad actors to do business with respectable entities. It's still harder to join a gym in most cases than to set up a UK company," he said. Official Reaction and Continuing Claims A UK official stated that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for corporate officers would provide more confidence about who was establishing and running UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first emerged last year, leading to an expression of regret from the South American nation's government. One of the fighters recently admitted that he had instructed minors in Sudan and fought in El Fasher. The UAE, 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 supplying Colombians to the RSF were connected to a high-ranking Emirati figure. The UAE has repeatedly rejected these claims. A UK official commented: "The UK is calling for an halt to atrocities, the safety of civilians, and the removal of obstacles to aid delivery." They noted that the UK had also imposed restrictions on RSF leaders for their part in the crimes in El Fasher.