In a disturbing development that highlights the globalisation of modern warfare, battle-hardened Colombian fighters are being recruited as elite mercenaries in Sudan's brutal civil conflict, according to a Guardian investigation.
The Latin American Connection to an African War
Former members of Colombia's military, many with extensive combat experience from the country's decades-long internal conflicts, are being deployed to the frontlines of Sudan's devastating war. These highly trained soldiers represent a new breed of international mercenary, bringing professional warfare expertise to one of the world's most destructive current conflicts.
A Lucrative but Deadly Trade
The recruitment pipeline operates through shadowy private military companies that offer substantial financial incentives to experienced Colombian fighters. With monthly salaries reportedly reaching up to $5,000 – significantly higher than what they could earn domestically – the temptation for these professional soldiers is undeniable, despite the enormous risks involved.
International Law Under Scrutiny
This development raises serious questions about the evolving nature of modern warfare and the adequacy of current international law to regulate the growing private military industry. The involvement of foreign mercenaries in internal conflicts complicates peace efforts and potentially violates multiple international conventions.
Human rights organisations have expressed grave concerns about the impact of these professional fighters on civilian populations and the potential for escalating violence in a conflict that has already displaced millions and created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
The Sudanese war, which erupted in April 2023 between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has drawn in various international actors, but the deployment of Colombian mercenaries represents a particularly concerning dimension of this globalised conflict.
