South American Contractors in Sudan Allegedly Hired by British-Based Firms

Situated near the shiny soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in the British capital is a plain, nondescript apartment building. Behind its unremarkable beige brickwork exists a dark secret: a cramped second-floor apartment connected to murderous atrocities taking place thousands of miles to the south.

Per British official documents, this one-bedroom flat in the capital is connected to a international network of companies involved in the mass hiring of fighters to combat in the African nation alongside militias charged of numerous atrocities and genocide.

Hundreds of Ex- Colombian Military Enlisted

Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been enlisted to fight with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction responsible for sexual violence, ethnic slaughter, and the systematic killing of civilians.

These contractors were key participants in the RSF's seizure of the south-western Sudanese city of El Fasher in recent months, which sparked a killing frenzy that analysts say has cost over 60,000 lives.

As reports of atrocities mount, connections have been identified between the fighters contracted to capture El Fasher and addresses in the UK capital.

UK Address Connected to Censured Company

The flat in north London is listed to a company named Zeuz Global, established by two individuals identified and penalized last week by the US treasury for hiring contractors to fight for the RSF.

Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their 50s – are listed in records at the UK company registry as living in the United Kingdom.

The firm remains operational. The following day the US treasury imposed restrictions on those running the recruitment network, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its official location to the centre of central London. Its new postcode corresponds to a luxury accommodation in a central district.

Both hotels said they had no link to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the firm had listed their addresses.

"It is of major concern that the primary figures the US government states are orchestrating this mercenary supply have been able to set up a UK company operating from a flat in the capital," stated Mike Lewis, a analyst and former member of a UN panel on Sudan.

Concerns Voiced Over British Firm Oversight

Experts argue the saga highlights 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 British capital.

The British foreign secretary has condemned the RSF for "systematic killings, abuse and sexual violence" following the faction's seizure of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with genocide.

When asked about the company, the registry did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the company's operations or confirm the residency status of the penalized people.

Reaching out to Zeuz proved fruitless; its online site, created in May, was labelled as "being built" with no contact details.

Network Headed by Retired Officer

Per the US treasury, the man at the centre of the Colombian recruiting network for the RSF is a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer based in the Gulf state.

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

Another individual with two citizenships was also sanctioned for overseeing a business accused of handling funds and salaries for the network hiring the mercenaries.

"In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms associated with this individual engaged in many wire transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the US treasury statement said.

Company Registration and Escalating Violence

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

Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam camp for displaced people, slaughtering over 1,500 civilians. After its seizure, the site was transferred to Colombian mercenaries, who began preparations for attacking El Fasher.

The sanctioned individuals are listed in Companies House records as owning "initial shareholdings" in the firm, with one named as a key controller.

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

Effect on the War and Broader Concerns

The recruitment of the Colombians has had a significant effect on the course of the conflict, experts state. These nationals have allegedly instructed minors to be combatants, as well as acting as marksmen, infantrymen, trainers, and pilots for drones.

These drones proved instrumental in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in surrounding areas.

"The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with precision munitions and remote aircraft causing regular fatalities," added the analyst. "These systems require outside assistance to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a major component of this outside support."

He added that the participation of penalized persons in a London firm underlined wider worries over the absence of strict vetting when companies are established.

"Owning a UK company like this is a license for bad actors to do deals with legitimate counterparts. It's still more difficult to join a gym in most cases than to establish a UK company," he stated.

Government Response and Ongoing Allegations

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

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

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

The UAE, repeatedly alleged of arming the RSF, has also been connected to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries. A report alleged that UAE nationals supplying fighters to the RSF were linked to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has repeatedly rejected these claims.

A British government spokesperson commented: "The UK is calling for an immediate end to violence, the safety of non-combatants, and the removal of barriers to humanitarian access."

They noted that the UK had also imposed restrictions on RSF commanders for their part in the crimes in El Fasher.