Child Soldiers Recount Horrors of Sudan’s War, Say Colombian Mercenaries Were Involved

Teenagers released from Sudan’s war recount abuse by the Rapid Support Forces, describing being shackled to weapons, forced to fire on aircraft, and beaten for resisting orders. Several former child soldiers told investigators they were trained by Colombian mercenaries, whom rights groups say were recruited through a United Arab Emirates-linked firm to support the RSF. The accounts align with other reporting, though the AP said it could not independently verify all claims. Sudan’s conflict has drawn wider foreign involvement, and all sides have been accused of using children.