United Nations investigators have uncovered evidence that Boeing 727 aircraft were used to ferry mercenaries, weapons, and drones to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of atrocities in Darfur.

The findings stem from a draft UN report, set for release in September, which details how these planes, connected to a US military contractor’s network, facilitated the RSF’s operations during Sudan’s civil war.

Key Findings on Aircraft and Operations

  • The UN Panel of Experts received credible information from multiple sources indicating that Boeing 727s transported RSF fighters, foreign mercenaries, and military equipment, including drones and weapons.
  • The planes operated primarily from N’Djamena airport in Chad and flew covertly to RSF logistics hubs in Nyala, Darfur, often landing at night to avoid detection.
  • Three Boeing 727s, linked to companies owned by Steven Shaulis, a former US Army Special Forces soldier, and his business partner, were tracked moving between Chad, Sudan, and Libya.
  • Despite extensive investigations, no official sanctions or wrongdoing charges have been made against Shaulis or associated companies.
  • Flight tracking data showed these aircraft avoided standard broadcasting signals, suggesting deliberate efforts to conceal their movements.

Colombian Mercenaries and the Arms Embargo

The report also highlights the involvement of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 Colombian mercenaries, known as the Desert Wolves, hired through a UAE-based company, Global Security Services Group (GSSG). These mercenaries established a base in Nyala in 2025 and actively participated in military operations, including the siege of al-Fashir.

The assault on al-Fashir involved mass killings, sexual violence, and abductions, acts the UN has previously identified as genocidal. While the UAE denies any mercenary links of GSSG, the presence of these foreign fighters underscores the complexity of the conflict and violations of the longstanding arms embargo on Darfur.

Context of the Conflict

Sudan’s civil war erupted in 2023 following a breakdown between the national army and the RSF over integration plans during a stalled transition to civilian rule. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and triggered severe humanitarian crises marked by famine and disease.

The UN Security Council-mandated Panel of Experts continues to monitor and report on embargo violations, aiming to curb the flow of arms and mercenaries fueling the conflict.