Colombian Mercenaries Trained by UAE for Sudan Conflict, HRW Reports

Human Rights Watch reported that the United Arab Emirates trained Colombian mercenaries before deploying them to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s devastating war. This new report joins those accusing the wealthy Gulf monarchy of financially and militarily aiding the RSF, which has been widely accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

The UAE denied the allegations made in response to questions from The Associated Press. Mausi Segun, Executive Director of HRW’s Africa Division, stated that the recruitment of private military contractors adds to growing evidence of UAE’s military support to the RSF. The RSF has repeatedly committed severe atrocities in Sudan.

The Sudan war erupted on April 15, 2023, when a power struggle between the military and RSF led to fighting in Khartoum and other areas of the northeastern African nation. The RSF emerged from the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias, infamous for atrocities in the western Sudanese region of Darfur in the early 2000s.

HRW’s report indicates that hundreds of Colombian mercenaries were trained by Emirati personnel at a military base in Al Dhafra, about 250 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, and another facility in the city. They were then deployed to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF. The report cites an unidentified Colombian mercenary who trained RSF recruits, including young children, in camps around Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province.

A UN report presented to the Security Council in September mentioned Colombian mercenaries fighting in various Sudanese regions, including Khartoum, Omdurman, Darfur, and Kordofan. Their roles involved operating drones, artillery, armored vehicles, and participating in direct attacks.

RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo acknowledged in a February video that Colombian mercenaries aided his group in operating drones. HRW calls for international pressure on the UAE to end support for the RSF through suspending military cooperation and arms sales.

The mercenaries were hired by Global Security Services Group, a private security company based in Abu Dhabi, led by Emirati Mohamed Hamdan Al Zaabi. UAE authorities and the company did not respond to HRW’s requests for comments. However, the UAE Foreign Ministry denied the claims in an email to AP, stating that any support to non-state armed groups would occur without state authorization and violate Emirati law.

HRW verified videos showing purportedly Colombian mercenaries fighting alongside the RSF during their October capture of El Fasher in Darfur, an operation characterized by the UN experts as ‘genocidal.’ The UN reported at least 6,000 deaths over three days.

HRW urges the international community, including the European Union, to pressure the UAE by halting military cooperation with them. They criticized the acceptance of UAE’s categorical denials, insisting on accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The United States has sanctioned several individuals and companies in Bogotá for allegedly recruiting and deploying Colombian mercenaries but has not addressed UAE’s alleged support of the RSF. The RSF has been accused of repeated war crimes, including summary executions, ethnically motivated attacks, sexual violence, and torture in conflict zones.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project reported approximately 59,000 deaths over three years, noting this number is likely underestimated due to reporting challenges.