South American Contractors in the Sudanese Conflict Allegedly Recruited by British-Based Companies

Tucked away close to a shiny soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in London lies a squat, unremarkable apartment building. Behind its ordinary facade exists a grim secret: a cramped flat connected to murderous crimes unfolding thousands of miles to the south.

Per UK government records, this one-bedroom flat in north London is connected to a international network of firms implicated in the large-scale recruitment of fighters to combat in the African nation alongside militias charged of myriad atrocities and ethnic cleansing.

Hundreds of Ex- Colombian Military Recruited

A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been recruited to serve with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group blamed for mass rapes, targeted killings, and the systematic killing of civilians.

These contractors were directly involved in the RSF's capture of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which sparked a wave of violence that experts believe has claimed at least 60,000 lives.

As reports of violence increase, connections have been identified between the mercenaries hired to capture El Fasher and locations in the city of London.

UK Address Connected to Sanctioned Firm

The apartment in north London is registered to a company called Zeuz Global, established by two individuals named and sanctioned recently by the American authorities for hiring contractors to combat for the RSF.

Both individuals – Colombian nationals in their fifties – are listed in records at Companies House as living in the United Kingdom.

The firm is active. The day after the United States imposed restrictions on those behind the recruitment network, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its official location to the very heart of central London. Its updated address corresponds to a luxury accommodation in Covent Garden.

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

"This is of serious worry that the key individuals the American authorities claims are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to set up a UK company operating from a apartment in north London," said an expert, a researcher and former member of a UN panel on Sudan.

Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Oversight

Experts argue the situation raises concerns over how people publicly sanctioned 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, abuse and assault" following the group’s capture of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with acts of genocide.

When questioned about the company, Companies House did not comment on whether it had knowledge of the company's operations or verify the location of the penalized people.

Reaching out to Zeuz proved unsuccessful; its online site, set up in spring, was marked as "being built" with no contact details.

Network Headed by Retired Officer

According to the US treasury, the figure at the heart of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The US accuses this individual of playing a central role in hiring former Colombian soldiers to be sent to Sudan using a Bogotá-based recruitment firm. His spouse was also penalized for running the agency.

Another individual with two citizenships was similarly censured for managing a business alleged of processing money and payroll for the network hiring the mercenaries.

"In 2024 and 2025, companies in America linked with this individual engaged in many wire transfers, amounting to many millions of US dollars," the official announcement read.

Firm Establishment and Escalating Violence

In April of this year, the penalized figures set up a company in north London named ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global.

Shortly after, the RSF assaulted the Zamzam displacement camp, slaughtering more than 1,500 civilians. After its capture, the site was handed over to the hired fighters, who began planning for attacking El Fasher.

The sanctioned individuals are named in official UK documents as holding "initial shareholdings" in the company, with one named as a person of "significant control".

The two list Britain as their "country of residence".

Effect on the War and Wider Issues

The recruitment of the South Americans has had a profound impact on the course of the war, analysts say. These nationals have allegedly trained children to be soldiers, as well as acting as marksmen, foot soldiers, instructors, and operators for drones.

These aircraft proved key in the fall of El Fasher and during fighting in other regions.

"The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with guided weapons and remote aircraft causing regular civilian deaths," added the analyst. "These systems require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a major component of this external assistance."

He noted that the involvement of sanctioned individuals in a London firm highlighted broader concerns over the lack of rigorous checks when companies are set up.

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

Government Response and Ongoing Allegations

A government source said that the new rollout of "mandatory identity verification" for company directors would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and running UK companies.

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

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

The United Arab Emirates, long accused of arming the RSF, has also been linked to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries. A investigation alleged that UAE nationals providing fighters to the RSF were linked to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has repeatedly rejected these allegations.

A UK official commented: "The UK is demanding an halt to violence, the protection of non-combatants, and the removal of barriers to humanitarian access."

They noted that the UK had also imposed restrictions on RSF leaders for their role in the atrocities in El Fasher.