South American Mercenaries in Sudan Allegedly Recruited by British-Based Firms

Situated near a shiny soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in the British capital lies a plain, unremarkable block of flats. Beyond its ordinary facade lies a dark reality: a cramped second-floor apartment connected to murderous crimes unfolding thousands of miles to the south.

According to UK government records, this apartment in north London is connected to a international web of companies implicated in the mass recruitment of fighters to fight in Sudan alongside militias accused of myriad atrocities and ethnic cleansing.

Hundreds of Ex- Colombian Military Enlisted

A large number of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction responsible for mass rapes, targeted killings, and the systematic killing of women and children.

These contractors were directly involved in the RSF's capture of the south-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 atrocities mount, links have been identified between the mercenaries contracted to capture El Fasher and locations in the city of London.

London Flat Connected to Sanctioned Firm

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

Both figures – Colombian nationals in their 50s – are described in records at Companies House as living in the United Kingdom.

The company remains active. The following day the US treasury imposed sanctions on those behind the Colombian mercenary operation, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its registered address to the centre of central London. Its updated address matches a luxury accommodation in a central district.

The establishments in question said they had no connection to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the company had used their postcodes.

"This is of serious worry that the primary figures the American authorities claims are directing this mercenary supply have been able to establish a UK company based from a apartment in north London," stated an expert, a analyst and ex-participant of a UN panel on Sudan.

Questions Raised Over British Firm Checks

Experts argue the saga highlights concerns over how individuals publicly sanctioned by the US for "contributing to the conflict in Sudan" were able to seemingly establish and operate a firm in the British capital.

The UK's top diplomat has censured the RSF for "organized murder, 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 the company, Companies House did not respond on whether it had awareness of the firm’s operations or confirm the residency status of the penalized people.

Reaching out to Zeuz was unsuccessful; its website, created in spring, was marked as "under construction" with lacking information.

Operation Headed by Retired Officer

According to the American authorities, 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 located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The US accuses this individual of having a central role in hiring ex-military personnel to be sent to Sudan using a Bogotá-based recruitment firm. His wife was also sanctioned for running the firm.

Another dual national was also sanctioned for managing a business alleged of handling funds and salaries for the network hiring the mercenaries.

"During 2024 and 2025, companies in America linked with this individual engaged in many wire transfers, amounting to millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement said.

Firm Establishment and Escalating Violence

In spring of this year, the sanctioned individuals set up a company in the UK capital named ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global.

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

The sanctioned individuals are named in official UK documents as owning "starting shares" in the firm, with one identified as a person of "significant control".

Both list Britain as their "country of residence".

Effect on the War and Wider Issues

The hiring of the Colombians has had a profound impact on the trajectory of the war, analysts say. These fighters have reportedly instructed minors to be soldiers, as well as acting as snipers, foot soldiers, instructors, and operators for unmanned aircraft.

These aircraft were instrumental 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 daily 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 outside support."

He noted that the involvement of penalized persons in a London firm highlighted wider worries over the absence of strict vetting when firms are set up.

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

Official Reaction and Continuing Claims

A government source stated that the recent introduction of "compulsory ID checks" for company directors would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and running UK firms.

The Colombians’ involvement in Sudan first emerged last year, prompting an expression of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

One of the mercenaries recently admitted 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 connected to the recruitment of the contractors. A investigation alleged that Emirati business people supplying fighters to the RSF were connected to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations.

A UK official said: "The UK is demanding an halt to violence, the safety of civilians, and the removal of obstacles to aid delivery."

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