South American Mercenaries in the Sudanese Conflict Allegedly Hired by British-Based Companies

Tucked away close to the gleaming soccer ground of Tottenham Hotspur in London lies a plain, unremarkable apartment building. Beyond its ordinary beige brickwork lies a dark secret: a small second-floor apartment linked to deadly crimes taking place thousands of miles to the south.

According to UK government records, this apartment in the capital is connected to a international web of firms involved in the mass recruitment of mercenaries to combat in Sudan alongside militias charged of myriad atrocities and ethnic cleansing.

Hundreds of Ex- Colombian Military Recruited

Hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to serve with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group blamed for mass rapes, ethnic slaughter, and the widespread murder of civilians.

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

As reports of atrocities mount, links have been found between the fighters hired to capture El Fasher and addresses in the UK capital.

UK Address Linked to Censured Company

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

Both individuals – Colombian nationals in their 50s – are listed in documents at the UK company registry as living in the United Kingdom.

The company is operational. The following day the United States announced restrictions on those running the recruitment network, Zeuz Global suddenly relocated its official location to the centre of London. Its updated address matches one five-star hotel in Covent Garden.

The establishments in question stated they had no link to Zeuz Global and were unaware why the firm had listed their postcodes.

"This is of major concern that the primary figures the US government states are directing this fighter recruitment have been able to establish a UK company operating from a apartment in the capital," said an expert, a analyst and ex-participant of a United Nations group on Sudan.

Questions Raised Over UK Company Oversight

Experts say the saga highlights concerns over how people openly censured by the US for "contributing to the civil war in Sudan" were able to apparently establish and operate a company in the British capital.

The UK's top diplomat has condemned the RSF for "systematic killings, abuse and sexual violence" following the faction's seizure of El Fasher. The RSF has been accused by the US with genocide.

When asked about the company, the registry did not respond on whether it had knowledge of the firm’s operations or verify the residency status of the sanctioned individuals.

Contacting Zeuz proved fruitless; its website, set up in spring, was labelled as "being built" with lacking information.

Network Headed by Retired Officer

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

The US alleges this individual of having a key part in hiring ex-military personnel to be deployed to Sudan using a Colombian recruitment firm. His wife was also sanctioned for owning and managing the firm.

Another dual national was similarly censured for managing a business accused of processing money and payroll for the operation employing the Colombian fighters.

"During 2024 and 2025, companies in America linked with this individual engaged in many bank transactions, totalling many millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Company Registration and Escalating Violence

In April of this year, the penalized figures set up a company in the UK capital named ODP8 Ltd – later renamed Zeuz Global.

Three days later, the RSF attacked the Zamzam camp for displaced people, slaughtering more than 1,500 innocent people. After its seizure, the camp was handed over to Colombian mercenaries, who began planning for assaulting El Fasher.

The sanctioned individuals are named in Companies House records as owning "initial shareholdings" in the firm, with one identified as a key controller.

The two describe Britain as their "place of residency".

Effect on the Conflict and Broader Concerns

The hiring of the South Americans has had a profound impact on the trajectory of the war, analysts say. These nationals have allegedly instructed minors to be combatants, as well as serving as marksmen, infantrymen, trainers, and pilots for unmanned aircraft.

These aircraft were key in the capture of El Fasher and during combat in other regions.

"The war in Sudan is a technologically advanced one, with guided weapons and long-range drones causing daily civilian deaths," said the expert. "These weapons require external help to operate. We know that the recruitment network has been a major component of this outside support."

He added that the participation of sanctioned individuals in a London firm highlighted wider worries over the lack of strict vetting when companies are set up.

"Owning a UK company like this is a license for bad actors to do deals with respectable entities. It's still harder to join a fitness centre in most cases than to establish a UK company," he said.

Government Response and Ongoing Allegations

A UK official said that the recent introduction of "mandatory identity verification" for company directors would provide greater assurance about who was establishing and running UK firms.

The role of the South Americans in Sudan first came to light last year, leading to an expression of regret from the South American nation's government.

One of the fighters recently confirmed that he had trained children in Sudan and fought in El Fasher.

The UAE, repeatedly alleged of arming the RSF, has also been linked to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries. A report alleged that UAE nationals supplying fighters to the RSF were linked to a high-ranking Emirati figure. The UAE has consistently denied these claims.

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

They noted that the UK had recently sanctioned RSF commanders for their role in the atrocities in El Fasher.