South American Mercenaries in Sudan Reportedly Hired by UK-Registered Companies

Tucked away close to a shiny soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in London lies a plain, unremarkable block of flats. Behind its ordinary beige brickwork lies a dark secret: a small flat connected to deadly atrocities taking place thousands of miles to the south.

According to UK government records, this one-bedroom flat in north London is tied to a international web of companies implicated in the large-scale recruitment of mercenaries to combat in the African nation alongside militias accused of myriad atrocities and ethnic cleansing.

Hundreds of Ex- Colombian Military Recruited

A large number of ex-soldiers from Colombia have been enlisted to fight with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a armed faction responsible for mass rapes, targeted killings, and the systematic killing of civilians.

These contractors were directly involved in the RSF's seizure of the western Sudanese city of El Fasher in late October, which sparked a wave of violence that analysts say has claimed at least 60,000 lives.

While reports of violence increase, links have been found between the fighters hired to overrun El Fasher and locations in the UK capital.

London Flat Connected to Sanctioned Firm

The apartment in Tottenham is listed to a company named Zeuz Global, established by two people identified and sanctioned recently by the American authorities for hiring contractors to combat for the RSF.

Both figures – citizens of Colombia in their 50s – are described in records at Companies House as resident in the United Kingdom.

The company is operational. The following day the US treasury announced restrictions on those behind the recruitment network, Zeuz Global abruptly moved its official location to the very heart of London. Its updated address corresponds to 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 firm had used their addresses.

"It is of serious worry that the key individuals 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," said Mike Lewis, a researcher and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan.

Questions Raised Over UK Company Oversight

Analysts argue the situation highlights questions over how people publicly sanctioned by the US for "contributing to the conflict in Sudan" were able to seemingly set up and run a company in the UK capital.

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

When questioned about the company, the registry did not comment on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s operations or verify the residency status of the penalized people.

Reaching out to Zeuz was fruitless; its website, created in May, was marked as "under construction" with no contact details.

Operation Led by Retired Officer

According to the US treasury, the man at the heart of the South American recruitment operation for the RSF is a citizen of two countries and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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

Another individual with two citizenships was similarly censured for overseeing a business alleged of handling funds and payroll for the operation employing the mercenaries.

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

Firm Establishment and Intensifying Conflict

In spring of this year, the sanctioned individuals registered a company in the UK capital called ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global.

Shortly after, the RSF attacked the Zamzam displacement camp, killing more than 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to the hired fighters, who began preparations for assaulting El Fasher.

The sanctioned individuals are listed in official UK documents as owning "starting shares" in the firm, with one identified as a key controller.

Both describe Britain as their "place of residency".

Effect on the War and Wider Issues

The hiring of the South Americans has had a significant effect on the course of the war, analysts say. These nationals have allegedly instructed minors to be combatants, as well as serving as marksmen, infantrymen, instructors, and operators for unmanned aircraft.

These aircraft proved instrumental in the fall of El Fasher and during fighting in other regions.

"The war in Sudan is a hi-tech one, with precision munitions and long-range drones causing daily civilian deaths," added the analyst. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the Colombian mercenary operation has been a significant part of this external assistance."

He noted that the participation of sanctioned individuals in a UK company underlined broader concerns over the lack of strict vetting when companies are established.

"Having a UK company like this is a passport for bad actors to do deals with legitimate counterparts. It's still harder to join a gym 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 "mandatory identity verification" for corporate officers would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and controlling UK companies.

The role of the South Americans in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an expression of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

One of the fighters recently admitted that he had instructed minors in Sudan and fought in El Fasher.

The United Arab Emirates, long accused of arming the RSF, has also been connected to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries. A report alleged that Emirati business people supplying Colombians to the RSF were linked to a senior UAE government official. The UAE has repeatedly rejected these allegations.

A British government spokesperson commented: "The UK is calling for an halt to atrocities, the protection of civilians, and the removal of obstacles to aid delivery."

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