Colombian Mercenaries in Sudan Allegedly Recruited by UK-Registered Companies

Situated near a shiny soccer ground of a Premier League club in London lies a plain, unremarkable apartment building. Behind its ordinary facade exists a dark reality: a small second-floor apartment linked to deadly crimes taking place thousands of miles to the south.

According to British official documents, this one-bedroom flat in the capital is tied to a international network of firms implicated in the mass hiring of fighters to fight in Sudan alongside militias accused of numerous war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

Hundreds of Former South American Soldiers Recruited

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group blamed for sexual violence, ethnic slaughter, and the widespread murder of civilians.

Colombian mercenaries were key participants in the RSF's capture of the south-western Sudanese city of El Fasher in recent months, which triggered a wave of violence that experts believe has claimed over 60,000 lives.

As reports of violence increase, connections have been identified between the fighters hired to overrun El Fasher and addresses in the UK capital.

London Flat Linked to Censured Company

The apartment in Tottenham is listed to a corporation named Zeuz Global, set up by two people identified and penalized last week by the American authorities for recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat for the RSF.

Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their 50s – are described in records at Companies House as resident in Britain.

The firm remains active. The following day the US treasury announced restrictions on those behind the recruitment network, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its registered address to the centre of London. Its new postcode matches one luxury accommodation in a central district.

Both hotels stated they had no connection to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the firm had listed their addresses.

"It is of major concern that the key individuals the American authorities states are directing this mercenary supply have been able to establish a UK company based from a apartment in north London," said Mike Lewis, a analyst and former member of a United Nations group on Sudan.

Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Oversight

Analysts argue the saga highlights concerns over how individuals openly censured by the US for "fueling the conflict in Sudan" were able to apparently set up and run a company in the British capital.

The UK's top diplomat has condemned the RSF for "organized murder, abuse and assault" following the faction's seizure of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with acts of genocide.

When asked about Zeuz Global, Companies House did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s operations or verify the location of the sanctioned individuals.

Contacting Zeuz proved 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 heart of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a citizen of two countries and former army officer located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The US alleges this individual of playing a central role in hiring former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Colombian employment agency. His wife was also sanctioned for running the firm.

Another dual national was similarly censured for overseeing a company accused of handling funds and salaries for the operation hiring the Colombian fighters.

"During 2024 and 2025, companies in America associated with this individual conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Company Registration and Escalating Violence

In spring of this year, the penalized figures registered a company in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global.

Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam displacement camp, killing more than 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to Colombian mercenaries, who began planning for attacking El Fasher.

The penalized people are named in official UK documents as owning "starting shares" in the company, with one identified as a person of "significant control".

Both describe Britain as their "country of residence".

Impact on the War and Wider Issues

The recruitment of the South Americans has had a significant effect on the course of the conflict, experts state. These nationals have allegedly trained children to be combatants, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and operators for drones.

These drones were instrumental in the capture of El Fasher and during fighting in other regions.

"The war in Sudan is a hi-tech one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing daily fatalities," said the expert. "These weapons require outside assistance to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a major component of this outside support."

He added that the involvement of sanctioned individuals in a UK company highlighted broader concerns over the lack of strict vetting when firms are established.

"Owning a UK company like this is a license for criminals to do business with legitimate counterparts. It's still more difficult to join a gym in most cases than to establish a UK company," he said.

Official Reaction and Continuing Claims

A government source stated that the new rollout of "compulsory ID checks" for corporate officers would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and running UK companies.

The role of the South Americans in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an apology from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

One of the fighters recently confirmed that he had instructed minors in Sudan and seen combat in El Fasher.

The UAE, long accused of arming the RSF, has also been connected to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries. A investigation alleged that UAE nationals providing Colombians to the RSF were connected to a high-ranking Emirati figure. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations.

A UK official commented: "The UK is calling for an halt to atrocities, the safety of non-combatants, and the lifting of barriers to aid delivery."

They added that the UK had also sanctioned RSF commanders for their role in the crimes in El Fasher.