Sudan Child Soldiers Accuse Colombian Mercenaries of Forcing Them to Fight

Child soldiers in Sudan have accused Colombian mercenaries of forcing them to fight in the country’s ongoing conflict, according to accounts from six former minors who were conscripted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the war. The testimonies, gathered by The Associated Press, describe brutal conditions, including being shackled to weapons and subjected to physical abuse, as well as training provided by foreign fighters.

The boys, who were between 15 and 18 years old when abducted, spoke of being bound to anti-aircraft guns during airstrikes and forced to operate artillery under threat of death. One 17-year-old described being tied to a pickup truck’s gun mount in Khartoum’s capital, where he was ordered to fire at warplanes. “I was extremely scared. I just wanted to escape and go home,” he said, adding that he was later held at an RSF base known as Central Reserve Camp, where children were routinely restrained even during meals.

Two of the boys claimed they were trained by Colombians, who were present at RSF camps and instructed them in the use of heavy weapons and drones. A 15-year-old recounted how Colombian mercenaries and RSF fighters used drones to select targets, including civilian areas, and beat him for refusing to fire. In one instance, a Colombian mercenary reportedly struck him unconscious with an electric baton. Another boy, who fled an RSF camp called al-Konan, described being locked in a room and only released for artillery strikes, with Colombians overseeing his training.

The accounts align with reports from human rights groups and private research firms, which have documented the presence of Colombian mercenaries in Sudan. These fighters, allegedly hired by an Emirati contractor, are said to have trained RSF recruits in military bases in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has denied providing arms or support to the RSF, stating it has no links to mercenary activity in Sudan. However, the U.N. Panel has tracked weapons shipments to the RSF from the Gulf region, and rights organizations have accused the UAE of enabling the conflict.

Colombian authorities have not confirmed the allegations but condemned the use of child soldiers. A former RSF fighter who defected to the Sudanese military said he witnessed Colombians training children in Khartoum in 2024. Meanwhile, a Colombian mercenary who fought in Darfur in 2025 reported seeing children as young as 13 on the front lines with the RSF. The U.N. Estimates that tens of thousands of children, some as young as 8, have been recruited by all sides in Sudan’s war, which entered its fourth year in 2026.

The rehabilitation center where the boys were held, located on the outskirts of Khartoum, houses over 200 former child soldiers. Psychologists at the facility describe the trauma of the boys, many of whom have physical scars and psychological wounds. One boy, who was left shackled to a gun during an airstrike, recounted being shot in the foot as punishment for refusing to fire. His wounds later became infected, leading to his abandonment by RSF fighters before he was rescued.

The presence of foreign mercenaries has intensified the conflict’s complexity. While the RSF, which has roots in the Janjaweed militias accused of atrocities in Darfur, has been linked to mass killings and human rights abuses, the involvement of external actors like Colombians and Emiratis has drawn international scrutiny. Human Rights Watch has called on the UAE to address its role in the conflict, citing evidence that its support for the RSF could implicate it in crimes against humanity.

Sudan’s war has displaced millions and devastated infrastructure, with child soldiers often caught in the crossfire. The boys’ testimonies highlight the exploitation of vulnerable populations, as well as the blurred lines between local and international actors in the conflict. As the war continues, efforts to rescue and rehabilitate child soldiers remain critical, though challenges persist in ensuring their safety and reintegration into society.