🔗 Share this article South American Contractors in the Sudanese Conflict Allegedly Hired by UK-Registered Firms Situated near the shiny football stadium of Tottenham Hotspur in London lies a squat, unremarkable apartment building. Beyond its unremarkable facade exists a grim reality: a cramped flat linked to murderous crimes unfolding thousands of miles to the south. According to British official documents, this one-bedroom flat in the capital is connected to a international web of firms implicated in the mass recruitment of fighters to combat in Sudan alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad atrocities and genocide. Hundreds of Former South American Soldiers Enlisted Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been enlisted to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction blamed for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the systematic murder of women and children. These contractors were key participants in the paramilitaries’ capture of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which sparked a killing frenzy that analysts say has cost over 60,000 lives. While reports of violence mount, links have been identified between the fighters hired to capture El Fasher and addresses in the UK capital. London Flat Connected to Censured Company The flat in north London is registered to a company named Zeuz Global, established by two people identified and penalized recently by the US treasury for hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for the RSF. Both figures – Colombian nationals in their fifties – are listed in documents at the UK company registry as living in Britain. The company remains active. The day after the United States imposed sanctions on those behind the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its registered address to the very heart of central London. Its new postcode matches a five-star hotel in a central district. The establishments in question stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the company had listed their postcodes. "This is of serious worry that the primary figures the US government claims are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to establish a UK company operating from a apartment in the capital," stated an expert, a researcher and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Checks Experts argue the situation raises concerns over how individuals openly censured by the US for "contributing to the conflict in Sudan" were able to seemingly set up and run a firm in the UK capital. The British foreign secretary has censured the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and assault" following the faction's capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with acts of genocide. When asked about Zeuz Global, the registry did not comment on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s operations or verify the residency status of the sanctioned individuals. Contacting Zeuz was unsuccessful; its online site, set up in May, was marked as "under construction" with lacking information. Network Led by Former Soldier According to the American authorities, the man at the centre of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the Gulf state. The US alleges this individual of playing a central role in recruiting former Colombian soldiers to be deployed to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His wife was also sanctioned for owning and managing the agency. Another dual national was similarly censured for overseeing a company alleged of processing money and payroll for the network hiring the Colombian fighters. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in America linked with this individual engaged in many bank transactions, amounting to many millions of US dollars," the official announcement said. Company Registration and Escalating Violence In spring of this year, the penalized figures registered a firm in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global. Three days later, the RSF attacked the Zamzam camp for displaced people, slaughtering more than 1,500 civilians. After its capture, the site was transferred to the hired fighters, who began planning for assaulting El Fasher. The penalized people are listed in official UK documents as holding "initial shareholdings" in the company, with one identified as a person of "significant control". The two list the UK as their "place of residency". Effect on the Conflict and Wider Issues The hiring of the Colombians has had a profound impact on the trajectory of the conflict, analysts say. These nationals have allegedly trained children to be combatants, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and pilots for drones. These drones proved instrumental in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing daily fatalities," added the expert. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the Colombian mercenary operation has been a major component of this external assistance." He added that the participation of penalized persons in a UK company highlighted broader concerns over the lack of strict vetting when companies are set up. "Owning 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 establish a UK company," he stated. Official Reaction and Ongoing Allegations A UK official said that the recent introduction of "mandatory identity verification" for corporate officers would provide greater assurance about who was setting up and controlling UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an expression of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry. One of the mercenaries recently confirmed that he had instructed minors in Sudan and seen combat 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 violence, the safety of non-combatants, and the lifting of obstacles to humanitarian access." They noted that the UK had recently imposed restrictions on RSF leaders for their part in the atrocities in El Fasher.
Situated near the shiny football stadium of Tottenham Hotspur in London lies a squat, unremarkable apartment building. Beyond its unremarkable facade exists a grim reality: a cramped flat linked to murderous crimes unfolding thousands of miles to the south. According to British official documents, this one-bedroom flat in the capital is connected to a international web of firms implicated in the mass recruitment of fighters to combat in Sudan alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad atrocities and genocide. Hundreds of Former South American Soldiers Enlisted Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been enlisted to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction blamed for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the systematic murder of women and children. These contractors were key participants in the paramilitaries’ capture of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which sparked a killing frenzy that analysts say has cost over 60,000 lives. While reports of violence mount, links have been identified between the fighters hired to capture El Fasher and addresses in the UK capital. London Flat Connected to Censured Company The flat in north London is registered to a company named Zeuz Global, established by two people identified and penalized recently by the US treasury for hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for the RSF. Both figures – Colombian nationals in their fifties – are listed in documents at the UK company registry as living in Britain. The company remains active. The day after the United States imposed sanctions on those behind the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its registered address to the very heart of central London. Its new postcode matches a five-star hotel in a central district. The establishments in question stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the company had listed their postcodes. "This is of serious worry that the primary figures the US government claims are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to establish a UK company operating from a apartment in the capital," stated an expert, a researcher and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan. Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Checks Experts argue the situation raises concerns over how individuals openly censured by the US for "contributing to the conflict in Sudan" were able to seemingly set up and run a firm in the UK capital. The British foreign secretary has censured the RSF for "systematic killings, torture and assault" following the faction's capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with acts of genocide. When asked about Zeuz Global, the registry did not comment on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s operations or verify the residency status of the sanctioned individuals. Contacting Zeuz was unsuccessful; its online site, set up in May, was marked as "under construction" with lacking information. Network Led by Former Soldier According to the American authorities, the man at the centre of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the Gulf state. The US alleges this individual of playing a central role in recruiting former Colombian soldiers to be deployed to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His wife was also sanctioned for owning and managing the agency. Another dual national was similarly censured for overseeing a company alleged of processing money and payroll for the network hiring the Colombian fighters. "In 2024 and 2025, companies in America linked with this individual engaged in many bank transactions, amounting to many millions of US dollars," the official announcement said. Company Registration and Escalating Violence In spring of this year, the penalized figures registered a firm in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global. Three days later, the RSF attacked the Zamzam camp for displaced people, slaughtering more than 1,500 civilians. After its capture, the site was transferred to the hired fighters, who began planning for assaulting El Fasher. The penalized people are listed in official UK documents as holding "initial shareholdings" in the company, with one identified as a person of "significant control". The two list the UK as their "place of residency". Effect on the Conflict and Wider Issues The hiring of the Colombians has had a profound impact on the trajectory of the conflict, analysts say. These nationals have allegedly trained children to be combatants, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and pilots for drones. These drones proved instrumental in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas. "The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing daily fatalities," added the expert. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the Colombian mercenary operation has been a major component of this external assistance." He added that the participation of penalized persons in a UK company highlighted broader concerns over the lack of strict vetting when companies are set up. "Owning 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 establish a UK company," he stated. Official Reaction and Ongoing Allegations A UK official said that the recent introduction of "mandatory identity verification" for corporate officers would provide greater assurance about who was setting up and controlling UK companies. The role of the South Americans in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an expression of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry. One of the mercenaries recently confirmed that he had instructed minors in Sudan and seen combat 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 violence, the safety of non-combatants, and the lifting of obstacles to humanitarian access." They noted that the UK had recently imposed restrictions on RSF leaders for their part in the atrocities in El Fasher.