From Somalia’s Bosaso to Sudan’s Battlefields: Colombian Mercenaries Training Child Soldiers for War

“We’re training children to be killed,” says “César” — Shocking Testimony Reveals Colombian Mercenaries Training Child Soldiers in Sudan

In a photo obtained by La Silla Vacía, taken by “César”—a former Colombian soldier turned mercenary—two young boys are seen lying on the ground of the Sudanese savannah, smiling and flashing peace signs at the camera. They appear to be clearly under the age of 18. Around them, other men lie prone, some pointing AK-47 rifles. In the background, two figures in desert-colored military uniforms stand out—Colombian mercenaries like César himself—tasked with training these Sudanese recruits to fight in one of the world’s most brutal wars.

César, who kept his identity anonymous out of fear for his safety, confirmed that the two boys in the photo were children he and others had personally trained.

“I was sent to work as an instructor at training camps. These camps take in 1,000 to 3,000 Sudanese recruits. There were kids as young as 10, 11, and 12. There were adults too, but a lot of children,” says César.

The training camp where he took the photos and videos is located south of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, and a military stronghold of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since 2023, the RSF has been engaged in a civil war and has been accused by international organizations of committing ethnic cleansing and forcibly recruiting child soldiers.

The war has already caused between 20,000 and 150,000 deaths and created the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis—with 20 million people facing hunger and about 12 million forcibly displaced.

Colombian Mercenaries: The “Desert Wolves”

Since last year, over 300 former Colombian soldiers have been sent to Sudan to reinforce the RSF through a transnational mercenary operation known as the “Desert Wolves.” The operation is led by retired Colombian Army Colonel Álvaro Quijano, in coordination with the UAE-based Global Security Service Group (GSSG), owned by Emirati national Mohamed Hamdan Alzaabi.

Despite warnings from Colombian President Gustavo Petro and media investigations, the operation continues—now implicating Colombian nationals in war crimes involving the recruitment and training of child soldiers.

Nyala: A Hub for Child Soldier Training

César arrived in Nyala earlier this year and left only weeks ago. He admits he knew he was being sent to a war zone, and that he would be working with the RSF, but he didn’t expect to be training children.

“All of us would talk about it there—‘poor kids.’ Because they’re the first to die on the frontlines,” he said. Still, he added grimly, “Unfortunately, this is how war works.”

The Nyala airstrip is key to the RSF operation. Colombian mercenaries fly in and out through Bosaso, a port city in Somalia controlled by Emiratis. It’s also through Bosaso that weapons and supplies are flown into Sudan. La Silla used geolocation analysis to confirm videos showing military drone activity and the presence of CH-95 or FH-95 Chinese-made drones at the Nyala base.

César also served as a trainer at one of four camps located south of Nyala, near the village of Bulbul Timbesco. According to his GPS data, the camp is over 30 kilometers from the city.

Children Trained in Guerrilla Warfare

Training sessions ran from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., six days a week. Each camp housed up to 3,000 Sudanese recruits and between 50–70 Colombian ex-soldiers as instructors.

“We teach them guerrilla-style warfare, how to use rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, and RPGs,” César explained. “After that, they’re sent to the front.”

The photos reveal young boys and adults training together in flip-flops and old soccer jerseys. César described the local forces as poorly prepared and under-equipped.

International Law Violations

Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, stated that recruiting and using children under 15 is a war crime under international law. Both Sudan and Colombia have ratified treaties banning the recruitment of anyone under 18 for armed conflict.

“Colombia is a signatory to the International Criminal Court, and should be prepared to prosecute any Colombian involved in the recruitment or use of child soldiers,” Gallopin told La Silla.

Justin Lynch, director of Conflict Insights Group, explained that RSF has intensified forced recruitment of boys due to a shortage of regular troops. Villages are threatened with violence if they don’t send men and boys to join.

César partially confirms this: “Now they say the locals are dying too quickly, so they need better training.”

Behind the Operation: A Sudanese Warlord, a UAE Tycoon, and a Colombian Officer

RSF is led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a.k.a. Hemeti, who played a central role in Sudan’s 2021 coup and launched another coup against his former ally in 2023. Although César never met Hemeti, he described him as “idolized,” and said all RSF fighters were forced to set Hemeti’s photo as their WhatsApp profile picture.

The entire operation, César insists, wouldn’t be possible without UAE funding. The New York Times has previously reported that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, UAE’s third most powerful man, has sent drones and weapons to Sudan under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Colombia’s growing ties with the UAE are also concerning. Emirati funds have supported Colombian infrastructure and business ventures, and Colombian ex-soldiers have long been hired to protect UAE’s energy facilities.

César revealed that before arriving in Sudan, he and about 40 others were trained in the UAE to operate drones, including Turkish-made Bayraktar UAVs, though the drones at Nyala are Chinese.

He also described strict security protocols—phones were monitored, contracts were not given to mercenaries, and any photo or video evidence was tightly controlled. GSSG has now changed its name to “Fénix”, and continues to recruit under that label.

Colombians Trapped by Debt, Misled by Promises

César eventually left Sudan, frustrated by late or reduced payments. Many mercenaries were never paid the promised $2,600 monthly salary. If they complain, they’re told they can leave—but must pay their own airfare.

“There are people desperate to leave but can’t afford it. And let’s be honest, this job isn’t very legal,” he said. Still, he admits, others continue to arrive—replacing those who flee—joining the training of children for war.