On December 9, 2025, the United States government announced sweeping sanctions targeting a transnational network accused of recruiting former Colombian military personnel to train fighters for Sudan’s notorious paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The move, which singles out four individuals and four companies, marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to address the spiraling conflict that has gripped Sudan since April 2023.
The RSF, locked in a brutal civil war with the Sudanese military, has been repeatedly accused of grave human rights abuses. Amnesty International has documented a litany of war crimes, and the United Nations’ Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, recently issued a dire warning about the potential for “a new wave of atrocities” as violence surges in Sudan’s central Kordofan region. According to the United Nations, the Sudanese conflict has killed around 40,000 people, displaced over 14 million, and plunged vast swaths of the country into famine—making it, by many accounts, the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The U.S. Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, John K. Hurley, minced no words in describing the RSF’s impact on the region. “Its brutality has deepened the conflict and destabilized the region, creating the conditions for terrorist groups to grow,” Hurley stated, as reported by the Associated Press. The sanctions, he explained, are intended to disrupt the RSF’s ability to sustain its campaign of violence and to send a clear message to those enabling its operations, whether directly or indirectly.
At the heart of the sanctions are Alvaro Andres Quijano Becerra—a retired Colombian military officer—his wife, and employment agency manager Mateo Andres Duque Botero. Alongside them, several staffing agencies are accused of processing payroll for Colombian fighters who have reportedly bolstered RSF ranks. According to U.S. officials, these individuals and firms played pivotal roles in facilitating the recruitment and deployment of foreign mercenaries, thereby strengthening the RSF’s hand on the battlefield.
One of the most chilling episodes linked to this network unfolded in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. On October 26, 2025, after an 18-month siege, the RSF—allegedly with support from Colombian-trained fighters—captured the city. The aftermath was grim: dozens of unarmed men were executed, and women and girls suffered sexual violence, according to both U.S. Treasury reports and statements from international rights groups. El Fasher had been the Sudanese military’s last stronghold in the sprawling Darfur region, and its fall marked a turning point in the conflict.
The U.S. government’s actions come amid mounting international pressure to address the crisis. The International Criminal Court has opened investigations into suspected war crimes in Darfur, while the U.S. has gone further, formally accusing the RSF of committing genocide in the region. The situation has prompted urgent appeals from world leaders for a concerted response to the unfolding catastrophe.
Diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent months, with key figures seeking U.S. engagement. In November 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman traveled to Washington, D.C., where he reportedly urged former President Donald Trump to help broker an end to the Sudanese war. The following month, Kenyan President William Ruto met with Trump, echoing calls for American support in “efforts to resolve the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.” These high-level requests underscore the global stakes of the conflict and the perception that U.S. intervention could prove decisive—or at least influential—in shaping the outcome.
For his part, Trump has publicly stated his desire to end the civil war in Sudan, though the specifics of any proposed diplomatic or military actions remain unclear. The former president’s involvement, coupled with appeals from regional leaders, highlights the complicated web of interests and alliances at play. While some observers see the U.S. sanctions as a step in the right direction, others question whether they will be enough to stem the violence or bring meaningful relief to Sudan’s beleaguered population.
As the humanitarian toll mounts, the stories emerging from Sudan paint a grim picture. Displacement on a massive scale has left millions without homes, food, or access to basic medical care. Many areas are teetering on the brink of famine, with aid agencies warning that time is running out to avert an even greater disaster. The international community faces a daunting challenge: how to hold perpetrators accountable, cut off support for armed groups like the RSF, and deliver aid to those who need it most—all while navigating the complex realities of Sudanese politics and regional rivalries.
The sanctions announced by the U.S. are part of a broader strategy to pressure the RSF and its backers. By targeting the network that supplies the group with experienced fighters, U.S. officials hope to disrupt its operational capacity and send a warning to others who might consider supporting or profiting from the conflict. Still, as history has shown, sanctions alone rarely resolve deep-seated conflicts. Their effectiveness will likely depend on whether they are paired with sustained diplomatic engagement and robust humanitarian assistance.
Meanwhile, the RSF’s actions continue to draw condemnation from human rights organizations and international observers. The group’s record of violence—including mass executions, sexual violence, and the targeting of civilians—has been well documented by Amnesty International and others. The United Nations’ Volker Türk has repeatedly sounded the alarm about the risk of further atrocities, urging the world not to look away as Sudan teeters on the edge.
For those on the ground, the politics and maneuvering of world leaders may seem distant, even irrelevant, compared to the daily struggle for survival. Yet the decisions made in Washington, Nairobi, Riyadh, and other capitals could have profound implications for the future of Sudan and its people. As the conflict drags on, the need for decisive action—and for accountability—has never been more urgent.
With sanctions now in place and international attention focused on the crisis, the coming months will be critical. Whether these measures can help bring peace, or at least some measure of relief, to Sudan remains to be seen. But as the world watches, the suffering of millions hangs in the balance—and the demand for justice grows ever louder.