Beirut, May 30 (Darfur24)
Human Rights Watch said that Colombian military contractors recruited through a UAE-based security company participated in combat operations alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the capture of El Fasher in North Darfur in October 2025.
In a report released this week, the rights organization said it had gathered evidence indicating that hundreds of Colombian contractors passed through military facilities in the United Arab Emirates before being deployed to Sudan in support of the RSF in its war against the Sudanese army.
Human Rights Watch said it verified geolocated videos and photographs showing foreign contractors, believed to be Colombian nationals, operating in El Fasher during the RSF offensive on the city. Widespread reports of killings, sexual violence and starvation among civilians marked the period.
The organization cited six witnesses from El Fasher who said they observed “white-skinned” foreign fighters at locations where mass killings were allegedly carried out by RSF forces. According to the witnesses, the men wore helmets, protective gear, and military equipment matching those seen in the verified footage.
The report alleged that the Abu Dhabi-based company “Global Security Services Group” has been recruiting Colombian contractors and deploying them to Sudan since 2024. It stated that recruits transited through the Ghayathi military base and another facility in Al Wathba, both located in Abu Dhabi.
One Colombian contractor told Human Rights Watch that he was transported directly from the airport to the Ghayathi base without undergoing normal immigration procedures. He said the recruits received training from Emirati personnel before being sent to Sudan.
The report also stated that a convoy linked to the operation was carrying Bulgarian-made 81mm mortar shells, which previous media investigations had reported were drawn from UAE military stockpiles. Human Rights Watch said this could constitute further evidence of military equipment reaching the RSF in violation of the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur.
A Colombian contractor interviewed by the organization said he participated in training RSF recruits at camps near Nyala in April 2025, adding that many of the trainees appeared to be children.
The report noted that the United Nations documented 16 cases of child recruitment by the RSF in 2024 and subsequently included the force on its list of parties responsible for grave violations against children in armed conflict.
Human Rights Watch argued that the use of UAE military facilities and bases in the deployment process raises questions about the nature of the relationship between the security company and Emirati authorities. The organization accused the UAE of providing forms of military support to the RSF.
The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations that it supplies military assistance to the RSF, maintaining that its engagement in Sudan is limited to humanitarian support.
Human Rights Watch called on the UN Security Council to expand investigations into the networks and companies allegedly supporting the RSF and to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved, including Global Security Services Group and its officials.
The RSF captured El Fasher in October 2025 after a siege and fighting that lasted approximately 18 months.