A nondescript residential address in North London has been identified as a corporate node in an international network supplying foreign fighters to Sudan’s civil war. The operation, which has recruited hundreds of former Colombian military personnel, is providing critical support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused by multiple nations of perpetrating war crimes, genocide, and systematic atrocities.
The London flat, registered to a UK-incorporated company, is connected to individuals recently sanctioned by the United States for their central role in recruiting mercenaries for the RSF. Despite these public sanctions, the company remained active and subsequently relocated its registered address to a prestigious central London postcode, though the listed street details correspond to a different luxury hotel. Management at both hotel locations have stated they have no association with the firm.
This situation has prompted serious questions about the oversight of corporate registrations in the UK and how individuals publicly censured for fueling a foreign conflict could operate a British company. Analysts specializing in the region express major concern, noting that a UK corporate entity can serve as a veneer of legitimacy, enabling transactions and operations that support embargoed actors.
The U.S. Treasury Department has pinpointed a retired Colombian officer based in the United Arab Emirates as the alleged orchestrator of the recruitment pipeline, utilizing a Bogotá-based agency. His wife and a business associate, managing financial operations, were also sanctioned. These same individuals are listed in UK corporate filings as shareholders and directors of the London-based company, with documents indicating the UK as their country of residence.
The influx of Colombian fighters has significantly altered the dynamics of the Sudanese conflict. These experienced personnel are reported to have served in various capacities, including as infantry, snipers, drone operators, and instructors. Their expertise is cited as a key factor in several RSF military advances. Disturbingly, one fighter confirmed participating in the training of child soldiers in Sudan.
The connection to the UAE adds another layer to the complex supply chain. The Gulf state, repeatedly accused of materially supporting the RSF, has been linked by investigative reports to the business networks facilitating the mercenary transfers. The UAE government has consistently denied these allegations.
In response to inquiries, a UK government spokesperson reiterated calls for an end to atrocities and humanitarian access blockades in Sudan, noting recent sanctions against RSF commanders. They highlighted recent legislative reforms designed to strengthen corporate transparency, including mandatory identity verification for company directors, aimed at preventing the misuse of British corporate structures.
Nevertheless, experts argue that the case underscores a persistent vulnerability: the relative ease of establishing UK companies compared to the difficulty of conducting thorough ongoing checks on their activities. This, they warn, has historically allowed such entities to broker military assistance to conflict zones worldwide.