A quiet London neighbourhood near Tottenham Hotspur's stadium holds a dark connection to the brutal conflict in Sudan. A nondescript apartment is linked to a network of companies allegedly recruiting hundreds of Colombian mercenaries to fight for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group implicated in ethnic cleansing, mass rape, and the killing of civilians.

This pipeline of foreign fighters directly impacts the stability of the region, a vital concern for Kenya which shares a volatile border and has deep economic ties with its northern neighbours. The ongoing war in Sudan not only threatens to spill over but has already disrupted trade, affecting Kenyan exports like tea and coffee and jeopardizing the livelihoods of many.

The London Connection to Darfur's Agony

A Guardian investigation has unearthed that a UK-registered company, Zeuz Global, is tied to two Colombian nationals sanctioned by the United States Treasury on December 9, 2025. These individuals are accused of orchestrating the recruitment of former Colombian military personnel for the RSF. These mercenaries were reportedly involved in the capture of El Fasher in North Darfur in late October, an event that unleashed a wave of atrocities, with analysts estimating at least 60,000 deaths.

Survivors from El Fasher have provided harrowing accounts of summary executions, systematic rape, and house-to-house raids by RSF fighters. Satellite imagery has since revealed what appears to be mass graves and incineration pits, corroborating reports of widespread killings. The US Treasury noted that the RSF has shown a repeated willingness to target civilians, including children.

A Web of Deceit and Lucrative Contracts

The recruitment network allegedly lured former Colombian soldiers with promises of well-paying security jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, many were subsequently diverted to fight on the frontlines in Sudan. One mercenary admitted to training child soldiers, a practice described as "awful and crazy." This operation is believed to be managed through a web of companies, including a Bogotá-based agency co-founded by Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE.

The US Treasury stated that US-based firms associated with the network engaged in wire transfers totalling millions of dollars (approx. KES 1.3 billion or more). This highlights the significant financial backing behind the mercenary operation. While the UAE has been widely accused of arming and backing the RSF, it has consistently denied these allegations.

Kenya's Precarious Position

The escalating conflict, fueled by foreign fighters, places Kenya in a difficult diplomatic position. Nairobi has historically played a crucial role as a mediator in regional conflicts, including hosting the negotiations that led to South Sudan's independence. However, the Sudanese government has recently accused Kenya of siding with the RSF, leading to a recall of its ambassador and a ban on Kenyan imports. The Kenyan government has denied these claims, insisting its role is that of a neutral peace broker.

The instability has direct consequences for ordinary Kenyans. The conflict disrupts a significant export market and increases the risk of refugee influxes, straining resources and potentially heightening security concerns. "If we continue having this trade blockade... it is going to have some ripple effects... the coffee farmers, the tea farmers, the manufacturers" will all be affected, noted Professor XN Iraki, an economist at the University of Nairobi.

As the international community grapples with holding the perpetrators of Sudan's atrocities accountable, the links to companies in global financial hubs like London raise urgent questions about corporate oversight. For Kenya, the crisis next door is not a distant problem but a clear and present danger to its economic stability and regional security.