Sudan Accuses UAE of Deploying Colombian Mercenaries to Aid RSF

Khabor Wala Desk

Published: 5th August 2025, 3:40 PM

Sudan Accuses UAE of Deploying Colombian Mercenaries to Aid RSF

Photo: Collected

The Sudanese government on Monday publicly accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight on behalf of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil conflict against the Sudanese army.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and precipitated what is now the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis.

Allegation

According to a statement issued by Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

“The government of Sudan possesses all the documents and evidence proving the involvement of mercenaries from Colombia and some neighbouring countries, sponsored and funded by the UAE.”

Despite Sudan’s assertions, the UAE has repeatedly denied supplying weapons or personnel to the RSF. However, reports from UN experts, Western diplomats, American lawmakers, and international organisations suggest otherwise.

Mercenary Involvement: A Detailed Breakdown

Aspect	Details
Accused Sponsor	United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Mercenaries Involved	Predominantly from Colombia; others from neighbouring nations
First Reported Presence	Late 2023, in the Darfur region
Recent Confirmations	UN experts and local military coalitions
Confirmed Numbers	Over 80 Colombian fighters recently reported in El-Fasher
Reported Mercenary Roles	Drone operations, artillery coordination, frontline combat
Sudan’s Presentation to the UN	Evidence submitted to the UN Security Council
Conflict Classification	Described as a “cross-border terrorist war waged by proxy”

El-Fasher: Strategic Flashpoint

El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, remains the last major stronghold of the Sudanese army in the region.
It has been under siege by the RSF for over a year.
Sudan’s army recently released video footage purportedly showing Colombian mercenaries among RSF ranks. AFP has not independently verified the footage.

Location	Status	Forces Involved
El-Fasher	Besieged by RSF for over a year	Sudanese Army vs RSF + Foreign Mercenaries

International and Historical Context

The use of Colombian fighters in foreign conflicts is not unprecedented.
Retired Colombian soldiers and ex-guerrillas, battle-hardened from decades of internal conflict, have been deployed in:
- Ukraine
- Haiti
- Afghanistan
- Yemen (also by UAE)
- Oil security operations in the Gulf

In December 2024, Sudan claimed that the Colombian foreign ministry expressed regret for the participation of its nationals in the war. These claims were reported by Sudan’s state news agency.

UN and Global Reaction

A UN panel of experts overseeing the Darfur arms embargo described the accusations of Colombian mercenaries supporting RSF as credible in a report released earlier this year.

The presence of foreign fighters is widely seen as escalating the conflict and internationalising what was already a devastating civil war.

As evidence mounts and international scrutiny intensifies, Sudan’s allegations are likely to amplify diplomatic tensions between Khartoum and Abu Dhabi, and further entangle foreign powers in a war already marked by mass atrocities and complex regional interests.