US imposes sanctions aimed at Colombian fighters in Sudan

The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on five companies and individuals it said were involved in recruiting former Colombian military personnel to fight on behalf of a paramilitary group in Sudan.



"This network has fueled the conflict, which has given rise to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises and famines," the Treasury Department said in a statement.



The United States urged the Sudanese government army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to accept a three-month humanitarian truce without conditions, Treasury said.



The brutal three-year war between the Sudanese army and the RSF has created what aid groups say is now the world's worst humanitarian crisis.



Hundreds of former Colombia forces have gone to Sudan to support the RSF in both combat and technical roles, fighting in battles around the country, Treasury said.



The sanctions mean all properties and interests of the designated people and companies in the United States are blocked.