Colombian Contractors in the Sudanese Conflict Allegedly Hired by British-Based Companies

Tucked away near the gleaming soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in London is a plain, nondescript apartment building. Behind its ordinary facade exists a grim reality: a cramped flat connected to deadly crimes unfolding a vast distance to the south.

Per British official documents, this one-bedroom flat in the capital is connected to a international web of firms implicated in the mass hiring of mercenaries to fight in the African nation alongside paramilitaries charged of myriad atrocities and genocide.

Hundreds of Former South American Soldiers 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 murder of women and children.

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

While accounts of violence increase, connections have been identified between the mercenaries hired to capture El Fasher and locations in the UK capital.

UK Address Linked to Sanctioned Firm

The apartment in Tottenham is listed to a corporation named Zeuz Global, established by two individuals identified and penalized recently by the US treasury for hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight for the RSF.

Both figures – Colombian nationals in their 50s – are described in documents at the UK company registry as resident in Britain.

The company is operational. The following day the US treasury announced sanctions on those behind the recruitment network, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its registered address to the very heart of London. Its new postcode corresponds to one five-star hotel in a central district.

The establishments in question stated they had no connection to Zeuz Global and had no idea why the firm had listed their postcodes.

"This is of major concern that the key individuals the US government claims are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to set up a UK company based from a apartment in the capital," stated Mike Lewis, a analyst and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan.

Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Checks

Analysts say the situation highlights concerns over how people openly censured by the US for "contributing to the conflict in Sudan" were able to seemingly set up and run a firm in the British capital.

The British foreign secretary has condemned 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 questioned about Zeuz Global, Companies House did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s activities or confirm the location of the penalized people.

Contacting Zeuz proved fruitless; its website, set up in spring, was marked as "under construction" with lacking information.

Operation Led by Former Soldier

According to the US treasury, the figure 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 Gulf state.

The US alleges this individual of playing a key part in recruiting ex-military personnel to be deployed to Sudan using a Colombian employment agency. His spouse was also penalized for running the firm.

Another dual national was also sanctioned for managing a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the operation employing the Colombian fighters.

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

Firm Establishment and Escalating Violence

In spring of the current year, the penalized figures set up a company in north London called ODP8 Ltd – later re-branded Zeuz Global.

Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam displacement camp, killing more than 1,500 civilians. After its capture, the site was transferred to Colombian mercenaries, who began planning for assaulting El Fasher.

The sanctioned individuals are listed in official UK documents as holding "starting shares" in the company, with one named as a key controller.

The two describe Britain as their "place of residency".

Effect on the Conflict and Wider Issues

The hiring of the Colombians 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 serving as snipers, foot soldiers, trainers, and pilots for drones.

These drones were instrumental in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in other regions.

"The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing regular civilian deaths," added the expert. "These systems require outside assistance to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a significant part of this external assistance."

He added that the involvement of sanctioned individuals in a UK company highlighted wider worries over the absence of strict vetting when companies are established.

"Owning 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 set up a UK company," he stated.

Official Reaction and Ongoing Allegations

A government source said that the recent introduction of "mandatory identity verification" for company directors would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and controlling UK firms.

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

One of the mercenaries recently admitted that he had trained children in Sudan and seen combat in El Fasher.

The United Arab Emirates, repeatedly alleged of supplying weapons to the RSF, has also been connected to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries. A report alleged that Emirati business people supplying fighters to the RSF were connected to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has repeatedly rejected these claims.

A British government spokesperson said: "The UK is demanding an halt to atrocities, the protection of civilians, and the removal of barriers to aid delivery."

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