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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, previously made his fortune trading camels and gold. Now, his RSF militia control a vast expanse of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a significant triumph by overrunning the city of al-Fasher, which was the last remaining military stronghold in the Darfur area.

Hated and dreaded by his enemies, Hemedti is admired by his followers for his ruthlessness and his vow to dismantle the corrupt state.

Modest Origins

His background is humble. He hails from the Mahariya section of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arab group that straddles the Chad-Sudan border region.

Born around 1974, as is common in remote regions, his exact birth details were not officially registered.

Led by his uncle Juma, his family moved to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, escaping war and in search of greener pastures.

Early Career

After leaving school in his adolescence, Hemedti began earning by trading camels across the Sahara to Libya and Egypt.

During that period, Darfur was a lawless frontier—impoverished, neglected by the government of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

Local armed groups known as the Janjaweed raided villages of the indigenous Fur, triggering a major uprising in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

As a countermeasure, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his counter-insurgency campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's force was among them, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in late 2004, killing 126 people, among them dozens of minors.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were responsible for crimes against humanity.

Calculated Moves

In the years following the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his ascent to become leader of a influential militia, a business network, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, demanding unpaid salaries for his soldiers, promotions, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir acceded to many of his requests.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units rebelled, Hemedti led loyalist troops that crushed them, taking over Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jebel Amir.

Rapidly, his business venture al-Gunaid became Sudan's largest gold exporter.

Formalizing Power

In 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as commander of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, answering only to Bashir.

The Janjaweed were integrated into the RSF, receiving modern equipment and training.

Regional Ambitions

Hemedti's forces engaged in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and accepted a role to police the border with Libya.

Supposedly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's commanders also engaged in corruption and human smuggling.

By 2015, Gulf nations asked Sudanese troops for the Yemen conflict. Hemedti negotiated a separate deal to provide his fighters as contractors.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, beginning a close relationship with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF recruiting centers for signing bonuses of up to $6,000.

Hemedti struck a partnership with the Russian Wagner organization, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in the gold trade.

He visited Moscow occurred on the day of the invasion of Ukraine.

Political Betrayal

With rising demonstrations, Bashir ordered Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, nicknaming him "my protector".

This backfired. In 2019, when protesters demanded democracy, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the generals overthrew him.

For a time, Hemedti was hailed as a new leader for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but this was short-lived.

Return to Violence

As the transition stalled, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which killed hundreds, assaulted females, and reportedly executed men in the Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF committed atrocities.

Pressed by international powers, the military and civil leaders reached a deal, leading to an uneasy partnership for several years.

Current Conflict

When a committee began examining military-owned companies, Burhan and Hemedti ousted the government and took control.

However, they disagreed. Burhan insisted the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti resisted.

Last year, RSF units moved to surround strategic locations in the capital. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted city-wide.

Conflict intensified in Darfur, with the RSF launching brutal attacks against the Masalit people.

The UN estimates up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the US describing it ethnic cleansing.

Present Situation

The RSF has acquired advanced arms, including military drones, used to strike army positions and crucial in the capture of al-Fasher.

With this weaponry, the RSF is in a strategic stalemate with the national military.

Hemedti has created a parallel government, the "Government of Peace and Unity", taking the chairmanship.

With the capture of el-Fasher, the RSF now controls almost all inhabited territory in western Sudan.

After allegations of mass killings, Hemedti announced a probe into violations perpetrated by his fighters.

Many believe Hemedti sees himself as ruler of an independent region or still aims to rule all of Sudan.

Alternatively, he may emerge as a behind-the-scenes power broker, commanding businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

While Hemedti's troops continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he seems assured of impunity in a global community that overlooks.