Colombian mercenaries were sent to Sudan to aid the RSF, resulting in a drone attack by the SAF that killed 22 fighters. Initially recruited for the UAE, these soldiers represent a strategic and cost-effective option for the UAE. The Colombian government has apologized for their involvement, and recruitment efforts by local agencies continue despite casualties.
In late 2024, a significant number of Colombian mercenaries traversed a vital road from Benghazi, Libya, to al-Uwaynat, Sudan, to support the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). An attack by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) using drones in November resulted in the death of 22 Colombian fighters before they could engage in combat in el-Fasher, North Darfur, which remains contested between the RSF and SAF.
According to Colombian media, La Silla, approximately 300 Colombian mercenaries were initially recruited for security positions in the UAE by Global Security Service Group. Subsequently, the UAE directed at least 40 mercenaries to Benghazi, reinforcing its backing of the RSF against the SAF. Following the attack, the Colombian government formally apologized to Sudan for the involvement of its nationals with the RSF.
The UAE’s recruitment of Colombian mercenaries is not unprecedented; they previously sent Colombian soldiers to fight Houthi rebels in Yemen in 2015. The presence of these mercenaries was highlighted through videos posted by SAF soldiers on X, showcasing documents, including the passport of one mercenary, Lombana Moncayo. British investigative platform Bellingcat utilized Moncayo’s social media to determine his location in Libya during the conflict.
As per Jeremy McDermott of InSight Crime, the UAE exploits the limited employment opportunities available to former Colombian soldiers, leveraging their extensive training and combat experience. Mercenaries from Colombia also present a cost-effective alternative compared to highly trained personnel from other nations. La Silla identified retired Colombian Colonel Alvaro Quijano as pivotal in arranging the recruitment and deployment of these mercenaries through the UAE.
According to reports, the International Services Agency A4SI, owned by Quijano’s wife, has continued its recruitment efforts despite the recent fatalities. Retired Army Major Omar Antonio Rodríguez, a co-founder of A4SI, noted the potential financial gains from the planned deployment of 1,500 mercenaries targeting substantial profits in Sudan.
The involvement of Colombian mercenaries in the Sudanese conflict underscores the international dimensions of modern warfare, revealing how nations leverage foreign fighters for their military objectives. The UAE’s investment in Colombian mercenaries not only reflects a strategic choice based on cost-effectiveness and combat proficiency but also raises critical ethical concerns regarding the recruitment and deployment methods employed in conflict zones.
Original Source: www.defenceweb.co.za
