South American Contractors in the Sudanese Conflict Allegedly Recruited by UK-Registered Firms

Situated close to the gleaming soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in London is a plain, unremarkable apartment building. Beyond its unremarkable beige brickwork exists a dark secret: a small second-floor apartment linked to deadly atrocities taking place thousands of miles to the south.

According to UK government records, this one-bedroom flat in the capital is tied to a international web of companies involved in the mass hiring of fighters to combat in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad atrocities and ethnic cleansing.

Hundreds of Former South American Soldiers Recruited

A large number of former Colombian military personnel have been enlisted to serve with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction blamed for sexual violence, ethnic slaughter, and the widespread killing of women and children.

These contractors were key participants in the paramilitaries’ capture of the south-western Sudanese city of El Fasher in recent months, which triggered a killing frenzy that experts believe has claimed over 60,000 lives.

As reports of atrocities mount, links have been identified between the fighters contracted to capture El Fasher and addresses in the city of London.

UK Address Connected to Sanctioned Firm

The flat in Tottenham is registered to a corporation called Zeuz Global, established by two people named and penalized last week by the American authorities for recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for the RSF.

Both figures – Colombian nationals in their 50s – are described in records at the UK company registry as resident in the United Kingdom.

The firm is active. The following day the US treasury imposed sanctions on those running the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its official location to the very heart of 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 had no idea why the firm had used their postcodes.

"This is of major concern that the key individuals the American authorities states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to set up a UK company based from a apartment in the capital," said an expert, a analyst and former member of a UN panel on Sudan.

Questions Raised Over British Firm Oversight

Analysts say the saga raises concerns over how individuals openly censured by the US for "contributing to the conflict in Sudan" were able to apparently set up and run a company in the UK capital.

The British foreign secretary has censured the RSF for "organized murder, abuse and sexual violence" following the faction's capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been charged by the US with acts of genocide.

When asked about the company, the registry did not respond on whether it had awareness of the company's activities or verify the location of the penalized people.

Contacting Zeuz proved unsuccessful; its website, set up in spring, was labelled as "being built" with no contact details.

Operation Headed by Former Soldier

Per the American authorities, the figure at the heart of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a citizen of two countries and retired Colombian military officer located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The US alleges this individual of having a key part in recruiting former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His spouse was also sanctioned for owning and managing the agency.

Another dual national was also sanctioned for overseeing a business alleged of processing money and salaries for the operation employing the Colombian fighters.

"In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual conducted numerous bank transactions, totalling millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement read.

Company Registration and Escalating Violence

In spring of this year, the sanctioned individuals registered a company in north London called ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global.

Shortly after, the RSF assaulted the Zamzam displacement camp, slaughtering over 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to Colombian mercenaries, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher.

The sanctioned individuals are listed 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".

Effect on the War and Wider Issues

The recruitment of the South Americans has had a significant effect on the trajectory of the conflict, experts state. These fighters have allegedly instructed minors to be soldiers, as well as serving as marksmen, infantrymen, trainers, and pilots for unmanned aircraft.

These drones proved key in the capture of El Fasher and during fighting in other regions.

"The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing regular fatalities," said the analyst. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the Colombian mercenary operation has been a significant part of this outside support."

He noted that the participation of sanctioned individuals in a UK company underlined broader concerns over the absence of rigorous checks when companies 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 gym in most cases than to establish a UK company," he said.

Government Response and Ongoing Allegations

A UK official stated that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for company directors would provide more confidence about who was establishing and running UK companies.

The Colombians’ involvement in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an expression of regret from the South American nation's government.

One of the fighters recently confirmed that he had trained children in Sudan and fought in El Fasher.

The United Arab Emirates, long accused of supplying weapons to the RSF, has also been linked to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries. A investigation alleged that Emirati business people supplying fighters to the RSF were linked to a high-ranking Emirati figure. The UAE has consistently denied these claims.

A British government spokesperson said: "The UK is demanding an halt to atrocities, the safety of civilians, and the lifting of barriers to humanitarian access."

They noted that the UK had recently sanctioned RSF leaders for their part in the crimes in El Fasher.