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The Sudanese government has officially accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of funding and employing Colombian mercenaries to fight on behalf of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the Sudanese army.
This accusation comes as the war, which began in April 2023, has led to a massive humanitarian crisis.
In a statement on Monday, August 4, Sudan’s foreign ministry claimed to have “all the documents and evidence” to prove the UAE’s involvement.
The ministry said it has previously submitted this evidence to the UN Security Council, arguing that the presence of foreign fighters turns the conflict into a “cross-border terrorist war waged by proxy.”
The UAE has consistently denied providing weapons to the RSF, despite reports from UN experts, diplomats, and international organisations suggesting otherwise.
Reports of Colombian mercenaries fighting for the RSF in the Darfur region first emerged late last year and have been corroborated by UN experts.
This week, a coalition of armed groups aligned with the army reported that more than 80 Colombian mercenaries were fighting for the RSF in El-Fasher, the last state capital in Darfur still under army control.
The coalition claimed that several of these mercenaries, involved in drone operations and artillery, were killed in a recent attempt to seize the city.
The Sudanese army also released video footage, which it says shows these foreign fighters.
Colombia’s foreign ministry reportedly expressed regret in December for the involvement of its citizens in the conflict.
Retired Colombian soldiers have been known to work as mercenaries in other conflicts, including in Ukraine, Haiti, and Yemen.
