Colombian Contractors in the Sudanese Conflict Allegedly Hired by UK-Registered Firms

Situated close to a shiny soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in London lies a squat, unremarkable block of flats. Beyond its unremarkable facade lies a grim reality: a small flat linked to deadly atrocities unfolding a vast distance to the south.

According to UK government records, this apartment in north London is connected to a international web of firms involved in the mass recruitment of fighters to combat in Sudan alongside militias accused of numerous war crimes and genocide.

Scores of Former South American Soldiers Enlisted

A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to serve with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group responsible for mass rapes, ethnic slaughter, and the systematic murder of women and children.

These contractors were key participants in the RSF's seizure of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which sparked a killing frenzy that experts believe has claimed at least 60,000 lives.

While accounts of violence increase, links have been found between the mercenaries hired to capture El Fasher and locations in the city of London.

London Flat Linked to Sanctioned Company

The flat in north London is listed to a company named Zeuz Global, established by two people identified and sanctioned recently by the American authorities for hiring contractors to combat for the RSF.

Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their fifties – are described in records at the UK company registry as resident in Britain.

The firm remains active. The day after the United States announced sanctions on those running the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its registered address to the very heart of central London. Its new postcode matches one five-star hotel in Covent Garden.

Both hotels stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the firm had used their addresses.

"This is of serious worry that the primary figures the US government claims are directing this mercenary supply have been able to set up a UK company operating from a flat in north London," stated Mike Lewis, a researcher and ex-participant of a UN panel on Sudan.

Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Oversight

Experts argue the saga raises concerns over how people openly censured by the US for "fueling the conflict in Sudan" were able to apparently set up and run a company in the UK capital.

The UK's top diplomat 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 acts of genocide.

When questioned about Zeuz Global, the registry did not respond on whether it had awareness of the company's operations or confirm the location of the penalized people.

Contacting Zeuz was unsuccessful; its website, set up in spring, was marked as "under construction" with lacking information.

Operation Led by Retired Officer

Per the US treasury, 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 key part in recruiting former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Colombian employment agency. His wife was also penalized for running the firm.

Another individual with two citizenships was also sanctioned for managing a company accused of handling funds and salaries for the network employing the mercenaries.

"During 2024 and 2025, companies in America linked with this individual conducted many bank transactions, totalling many millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Firm Establishment and Escalating Violence

In April of the current year, the sanctioned individuals registered a company in north London named ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global.

Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam camp for displaced people, killing more than 1,500 innocent people. After its capture, the camp was transferred to Colombian mercenaries, who began preparations for attacking El Fasher.

The penalized people are listed in official UK documents as holding "starting shares" in the company, with one identified as a key controller.

Both describe the UK as their "country of residence".

Impact on the War and Wider Issues

The hiring of the Colombians has had a profound impact on the course of the war, analysts say. These nationals have reportedly trained children to be combatants, as well as serving as snipers, foot soldiers, instructors, and pilots for drones.

These aircraft proved key in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas.

"The war in Sudan is a hi-tech one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing regular civilian deaths," said the analyst. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the Colombian mercenary operation has been a major component of this external assistance."

He noted that the participation of penalized persons in a London firm highlighted broader concerns over the lack of rigorous checks when firms are established.

"Having a UK company like this is a license for bad actors to do deals with legitimate counterparts. It's still more difficult to join a fitness centre in most cases than to establish a UK company," he said.

Government Response and Continuing Claims

A UK official stated that the recent introduction of "mandatory identity verification" for corporate officers would provide greater assurance about who was setting up and running UK firms.

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 fighters recently admitted that he had trained children in Sudan and fought in El Fasher.

The UAE, long accused of arming the RSF, has also been linked to the recruitment of the contractors. 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 calling for an halt to violence, the protection of non-combatants, and the removal of barriers to aid delivery."

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