According to reports from Colombian media and the Wall Street Journal, more than 100 former Colombian soldiers were recruited to fight in Sudan. These ex-soldiers joined the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has asked the Foreign Ministry to find ways to bring these soldiers back to Colombia. The government is looking for options to repatriate them as soon as possible.
Colombian news outlet La Silla Vacía interviewed several of these former soldiers. According to them, they were recruited by a Colombian security company. This company is said to have connections with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many of the soldiers claim they were misled about their destination. They were initially told they would be working in security roles elsewhere but were later taken to Sudan to fight.
Reports indicate that these soldiers were transported to Sudan through Puntland, a region in the northeast of Somalia. Puntland is known for being a transit point in various international operations. The involvement of this route suggests an organized network behind the recruitment.
Officials within the Puntland Administration have reported that several of these mercenaries have been killed in Sudan. Their bodies were later transported back to Somalia. The exact number of casualties is not yet clear, but sources confirm that many have lost their lives in the conflict.
The recruitment of former Colombian soldiers for conflicts abroad is not new. Colombian ex-soldiers are often sought after for their military experience. They have combat training from years of fighting against rebel groups in Colombia. Because of this, private military companies frequently hire them for security work or combat roles overseas.
In this case, the Colombian security company involved allegedly promised the soldiers good salaries and safe working conditions. However, many of them did not know they would be fighting in Sudan. Some soldiers said they realized the truth only after arriving in Puntland. At that point, they had no choice but to continue the journey to Sudan.
Some of these ex-soldiers have spoken out about their experiences. They describe harsh conditions and intense battles in Sudan. The conflict in Sudan has been deadly, and many foreign fighters have been caught in the violence. Some soldiers managed to escape, but others remain trapped.
There are claims that the UAE played a role in this recruitment. The UAE has been involved in security operations in various parts of the world, including Africa. However, the exact connection between the Colombian security company and the UAE is not fully clear. Colombian authorities are investigating these links.
President Gustavo Petro has made it clear that he wants the government to take action. He has asked the Foreign Ministry to work on bringing the ex-soldiers home. The Colombian government is also investigating the company that recruited them.
There is growing concern about how these men were misled and sent to fight in a foreign war. Families of the soldiers are also demanding answers. They want to know how their relatives ended up in Sudan and what can be done to help them.
Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in Somalia, has become an important transit point for various activities. Reports suggest that the ex-soldiers were transported through Puntland before reaching Sudan. Officials in Puntland confirm that they have seen evidence of this operation.
Local sources also report that the bodies of some of the fallen soldiers have been returned to Puntland. It is unclear what will happen to these bodies and whether they will be sent back to Colombia. This situation has raised further questions about the networks involved in recruiting and transporting these fighters.
Sudan has been in turmoil for years, with various armed groups fighting for control. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is one of the key players in the conflict. The group has been engaged in battles with Sudan’s army and other factions.
Foreign fighters have been recruited to strengthen different sides in the conflict. The presence of Colombian mercenaries highlights how international actors are involved in Sudan’s war. Many of these foreign soldiers are fighting for financial reasons rather than political or ideological beliefs.
The Colombian government is working to gather more information about the situation. Investigations are ongoing into the security company that recruited the soldiers. Officials are also exploring legal options to bring those responsible to justice.
Families of the recruited soldiers are waiting for news. Some of them have been in contact with their relatives in Sudan, while others have not heard anything. There is fear that more lives could be lost if urgent action is not taken.
The situation remains complex, with multiple countries and organizations involved. The focus now is on rescuing those still trapped in Sudan and ensuring that similar recruitment schemes do not happen again.
This incident raises serious questions about the role of private military companies in global conflicts. It also highlights the dangers faced by ex-soldiers who seek work abroad. Many of them are looking for better opportunities, but they sometimes end up in dangerous and deceptive situations.
For now, the world is watching to see how the Colombian government will handle this crisis. The fate of these soldiers and their families hangs in the balance.
