US sanctions target a network recruiting foreign fighters for the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed new sanctions on five individuals and entities, accusing them of being involved in recruiting and sending foreign fighters—particularly from Colombia—to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing war in Sudan.
Key Individuals Targeted by the Sanctions:
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Alvaro Andres Quijano Becerra: A retired Colombian officer, considered the central figure in the network for recruiting fighters and sending them to Sudan.
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Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero: Quijano’s wife and his partner in founding the recruitment companies used in the conscription operations.
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Jose Oscar Garcia Batte: A former colonel in the Colombian army and the owner of a recruitment company that played a major role in attracting fighters.
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Jose Libardo Quijano Torres: A nominal director (figurehead) of an alternative company used to continue recruitment operations after previous sanctions were imposed.
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Omar Fernando Garcia Batte: An administrative official and partner in managing the recruitment network associated with the operations.
Included Entities and Companies:
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International Services Agency (A4SI): A Colombia-based recruitment company specializing in recruiting snipers and drone operators to fight in Sudan.
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Talent Bridge S.A. (Panama): A financial and administrative intermediary used to cover up the relationship between the recruitment companies and the funding parties.
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Fénix Human Resources S.A.S.: An alternative entity established to continue the activities after A4SI was placed on the sanctions list.
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Global Qowa Al-Basheria S.A.S. (GQAB): A recruitment company directly linked to Jose Garcia Batte, which contributed to sending fighters to Sudan.
Background:
The Treasury Department states that this network has facilitated the transfer of hundreds of former Colombian fighters to fight in Sudan since 2024, where they have participated in several battles, including the battles of El Fasher city.
These sanctions fall under Executive Order 14098, which targets individuals and entities destabilizing Sudan, amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023.
