🔗 Share this article Colombian Contractors in Sudan Allegedly Recruited by UK-Registered Firms Tucked away close to a gleaming soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in the British capital is a plain, nondescript block of flats. Beyond its unremarkable beige brickwork lies a dark secret: a small second-floor apartment connected to deadly atrocities taking place thousands of miles to the south. Per UK government records, this apartment in north London is connected to a transnational network of firms involved in the mass hiring of mercenaries to combat in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad atrocities and ethnic cleansing. Hundreds of Ex- Colombian Military Enlisted A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group blamed for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the widespread killing of civilians. Colombian mercenaries were key participants in the paramilitaries’ capture of the south-western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a killing frenzy that analysts say has claimed over 60,000 lives. As reports of atrocities increase, links have been found between the mercenaries contracted to capture El Fasher and addresses in the UK capital. London Flat Linked to Sanctioned Firm The flat in Tottenham is listed to a corporation named Zeuz Global, set up by two people identified and penalized last week by the US treasury for hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat for the RSF. Both individuals – citizens of Colombia in their fifties – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in Britain. The firm remains active. The following day the US treasury announced restrictions on those behind the recruitment network, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its registered address to the very heart of central London. Its new postcode matches a luxury accommodation in a central district. The establishments in question said they had no link to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the company had listed their postcodes. "It is of major concern that the key individuals the American authorities states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to establish a UK company based from a flat in north London," stated Mike Lewis, a analyst and former member of a UN panel on Sudan. Questions Raised Over British Firm Oversight Experts argue the situation raises concerns over how individuals publicly sanctioned by the US for "contributing to the civil war 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 "organized murder, abuse and sexual violence" following the group’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 respond on whether it had awareness of the company's operations or confirm the residency status of the penalized people. Reaching out to Zeuz was fruitless; its online site, created in May, was marked as "under construction" with lacking information. Operation Headed by Retired Officer According to the US treasury, the man at the heart of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a citizen of two countries and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US accuses this individual of playing a central role in recruiting former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Bogotá-based recruitment firm. His spouse was also penalized for owning and managing the firm. Another individual with two citizenships was also sanctioned for managing a business alleged of processing money and salaries for the operation employing the mercenaries. "During 2024 and 2025, companies in America associated with this individual conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions of US dollars," the official announcement read. Company Registration and Intensifying Conflict In April of the current year, the penalized figures registered a firm in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global. Shortly after, the RSF assaulted the Zamzam camp for displaced people, killing over 1,500 civilians. After its capture, the camp was handed over to the hired fighters, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The sanctioned individuals are listed in Companies House records as holding "initial shareholdings" in the company, with one identified as a person of "significant control". Both list Britain as their "place of residency". Effect on the Conflict and Broader Concerns The hiring of the South Americans has had a profound impact on the course of the conflict, analysts say. These fighters have allegedly trained children to be soldiers, as well as serving as marksmen, foot soldiers, trainers, and operators for drones. These drones proved key in the fall of El Fasher and during fighting 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 expert. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a significant part of this external assistance." He added that the participation of penalized persons in a UK company highlighted broader concerns over the absence of rigorous checks when firms are set up. "Owning a UK company like this is a license for criminals to do business with respectable entities. It's still more difficult to join a fitness centre in most cases than to set up a UK company," he said. Government Response and Ongoing Allegations A UK official stated that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for corporate officers would provide more confidence about who was setting up and running UK firms. The Colombians’ involvement in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an apology from the South American nation's government. One of the mercenaries recently admitted that he had trained children in Sudan and fought in El Fasher. The United Arab Emirates, repeatedly alleged of arming the RSF, has also been linked to the hiring 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 repeatedly rejected these allegations. A UK official commented: "The UK is demanding an immediate end to violence, the protection of civilians, and the lifting of barriers to humanitarian access." They added that the UK had recently imposed restrictions on RSF commanders for their part in the crimes in El Fasher.
Tucked away close to a gleaming soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in the British capital is a plain, nondescript block of flats. Beyond its unremarkable beige brickwork lies a dark secret: a small second-floor apartment connected to deadly atrocities taking place thousands of miles to the south. Per UK government records, this apartment in north London is connected to a transnational network of firms involved in the mass hiring of mercenaries to combat in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad atrocities and ethnic cleansing. Hundreds of Ex- Colombian Military Enlisted A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group blamed for sexual violence, targeted killings, and the widespread killing of civilians. Colombian mercenaries were key participants in the paramilitaries’ capture of the south-western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which triggered a killing frenzy that analysts say has claimed over 60,000 lives. As reports of atrocities increase, links have been found between the mercenaries contracted to capture El Fasher and addresses in the UK capital. London Flat Linked to Sanctioned Firm The flat in Tottenham is listed to a corporation named Zeuz Global, set up by two people identified and penalized last week by the US treasury for hiring Colombian mercenaries to combat for the RSF. Both individuals – citizens of Colombia in their fifties – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in Britain. The firm remains active. The following day the US treasury announced restrictions on those behind the recruitment network, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its registered address to the very heart of central London. Its new postcode matches a luxury accommodation in a central district. The establishments in question said they had no link to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the company had listed their postcodes. "It is of major concern that the key individuals the American authorities states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to establish a UK company based from a flat in north London," stated Mike Lewis, a analyst and former member of a UN panel on Sudan. Questions Raised Over British Firm Oversight Experts argue the situation raises concerns over how individuals publicly sanctioned by the US for "contributing to the civil war 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 "organized murder, abuse and sexual violence" following the group’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 respond on whether it had awareness of the company's operations or confirm the residency status of the penalized people. Reaching out to Zeuz was fruitless; its online site, created in May, was marked as "under construction" with lacking information. Operation Headed by Retired Officer According to the US treasury, the man at the heart of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a citizen of two countries and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US accuses this individual of playing a central role in recruiting former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Bogotá-based recruitment firm. His spouse was also penalized for owning and managing the firm. Another individual with two citizenships was also sanctioned for managing a business alleged of processing money and salaries for the operation employing the mercenaries. "During 2024 and 2025, companies in America associated with this individual conducted numerous wire transfers, amounting to millions of US dollars," the official announcement read. Company Registration and Intensifying Conflict In April of the current year, the penalized figures registered a firm in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global. Shortly after, the RSF assaulted the Zamzam camp for displaced people, killing over 1,500 civilians. After its capture, the camp was handed over to the hired fighters, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher. The sanctioned individuals are listed in Companies House records as holding "initial shareholdings" in the company, with one identified as a person of "significant control". Both list Britain as their "place of residency". Effect on the Conflict and Broader Concerns The hiring of the South Americans has had a profound impact on the course of the conflict, analysts say. These fighters have allegedly trained children to be soldiers, as well as serving as marksmen, foot soldiers, trainers, and operators for drones. These drones proved key in the fall of El Fasher and during fighting 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 expert. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a significant part of this external assistance." He added that the participation of penalized persons in a UK company highlighted broader concerns over the absence of rigorous checks when firms are set up. "Owning a UK company like this is a license for criminals to do business with respectable entities. It's still more difficult to join a fitness centre in most cases than to set up a UK company," he said. Government Response and Ongoing Allegations A UK official stated that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for corporate officers would provide more confidence about who was setting up and running UK firms. The Colombians’ involvement in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an apology from the South American nation's government. One of the mercenaries recently admitted that he had trained children in Sudan and fought in El Fasher. The United Arab Emirates, repeatedly alleged of arming the RSF, has also been linked to the hiring 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 repeatedly rejected these allegations. A UK official commented: "The UK is demanding an immediate end to violence, the protection of civilians, and the lifting of barriers to humanitarian access." They added that the UK had recently imposed restrictions on RSF commanders for their part in the crimes in El Fasher.