Background and Relevance of the Story
In a shocking revelation, hundreds of former Colombian soldiers have been drawn into Sudan’s brutal civil war, lured by promises of lucrative salaries from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These ex-soldiers, many of whom are now deceased or implicated in serious crimes, have been recruited and deployed through complex routes involving the UAE and Somalia.
The Journey of Colombian Ex-Soldiers to Darfur
Recruitment and Training:
- Ex-soldiers were primarily recruited via the internet.
- Most were transported to Sudan through the UAE, where they underwent brief training sessions.
Routes to Sudan:
- Two primary routes were used to reach Sudan: via eastern Libya, controlled by the UAE, or through a base in Bosaso, Somalia, which hosts UAE military personnel.
Deployment in Darfur:
Verified images and testimonies place Colombian mercenaries in the midst of intense combat in Darfur, fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of committing genocide.
Key Players and Motives
Ex-Colonel and U.S. Sanctions:
A former Colombian colonel, sanctioned by the U.S., is alleged to be the mastermind behind the operation to deploy 2,500 mercenaries to support the RSF in Sudan’s civil war.
The Complex Web of Interests in Sudan’s Conflict
Sudan is embroiled in a devastating civil war between the RSF and the government-controlled army, fueled by geopolitical interests from the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Impact on Colombian Ex-Soldiers and Their Families
Unresolved Repatriation:
“To this day, their bodies have not been repatriated,” said the widow of a Colombian ex-soldier who died in Sudan, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
This 33-year-old ex-soldier traveled to Sudan in mid-2024, joining a group sent by U.S.-sanctioned businessmen to the brutal conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left millions displaced and at risk of starvation.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Colombian ex-soldiers involved? Hundreds of former Colombian soldiers have been recruited and deployed to fight in Sudan’s civil war, lured by promises of high salaries from the UAE.
- How were they recruited and trained? Most ex-soldiers were recruited online, transported to Sudan via the UAE, and underwent brief training sessions before deployment.
- What routes did they take to reach Sudan? Colombian ex-soldiers traveled through two primary routes: via eastern Libya, controlled by the UAE, or through a base in Bosaso, Somalia, which hosts UAE military personnel.
- Who is behind the operation? A former Colombian colonel, sanctioned by the U.S., is alleged to be the mastermind behind deploying mercenaries to support the RSF in Sudan.
- What are the geopolitical interests driving the conflict? The civil war in Sudan is fueled by geopolitical interests from the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
- What is the situation for the families of the ex-soldiers? The widow of a deceased ex-soldier expressed her frustration over the lack of repatriation for fallen soldiers, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by their families.
