Al Jazeera Net reports on an exclusive Guardian investigation revealing that UK-registered firms have been used to recruit hundreds of Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of war crimes and genocide.

The probe links a modest one-bedroom flat in north London to a transnational mercenary recruitment network run by individuals sanctioned by the United States for their role in intensifying the conflict in Sudan.

According to the report, Colombian mercenaries participated directly in the late-October assault on El-Fashir in Darfur, an offensive followed by deadly escalation with thousands of casualties, including allegations of mass rape and systematic killing of civilians.

The mercenaries reportedly played advanced roles in operating drones, training fighters, and even training children to fight, and were instrumental in the fall of El-Fashir and ongoing operations in adjoining Kordofan region.

At the centre of the case is a company later known as Zeus Global, registered in north London with minimal capital, founded by Colombian nationals listed as UK residents. The U.S. Treasury recently sanctioned these founders for employing Colombian mercenaries to support the RSF.

Despite sanctions, the firm remains active and changed its registered address to central London, using addresses linked to luxury hotels that deny any connection, raising serious questions about oversight and transparency.

Experts, including UN sources, warn that sanctioned individuals can still establish UK companies and use them as fronts for dangerous activities, underscoring longstanding concerns that the ease of UK company registration has historically enabled shell companies to facilitate arms deals and illicit military support.

The British government has responded with tighter identity checks for company directors and sanctions on RSF leaders, while calling for an immediate end to atrocities, protection of civilians, and unhindered humanitarian access in Sudan.