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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Today, his RSF militia control around 50% of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a major triumph by overrunning the city of al-Fasher, which was the final army garrison in the Darfur area.

Hated and dreaded by his enemies, Hemedti is respected by his loyalists for his tenacity and his vow to overthrow the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya clan of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arab group that straddles the Chad-Sudan border region.

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth 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

Dropping out of education in his adolescence, Hemedti began earning by trading camels across the Sahara to neighboring countries.

During that period, Darfur was Sudan's wild west—poor, ignored by the government of then-President Bashir.

Local armed groups known as the Janjawid raided villages of the native Fur communities, escalating a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his counter-insurgency campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's force was part of this, accused in destroying the village of Adwa in late 2004, killing 126 people, among them 36 children.

A US investigation concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Strategic Maneuvering

In the years following the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his ascent to become leader of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, demanding unpaid salaries for his fighters, promotions, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir granted most of his demands.

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

Quickly, his family company Al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan.

Formalizing Power

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

The Janjaweed were integrated into the RSF, receiving new uniforms, vehicles, and weapons.

International Connections

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, performed less successfully in the Nuba region, and took on a role to police the Libyan frontier.

Supposedly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's officers also excelled at corruption and human smuggling.

In 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 strong alliance with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Recruits flocked to RSF enlistment offices for signing bonuses of up to six thousand dollars.

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

He visited Moscow occurred on the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Turning on Allies

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the capital Khartoum, nicknaming him himayti.

It was a miscalculation. In 2019, when protesters demanded democracy, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the military leaders overthrew him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a new leader for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

As the transition stalled, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which killed hundreds, assaulted females, and allegedly drowned men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF committed atrocities.

Under foreign pressure, the military and civil leaders agreed to a compromise, leading to an unstable coexistence for several years.

Current Conflict

As an investigation started looking into army businesses, the two generals ousted the government and took control.

But they fell out. Burhan demanded the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti resisted.

Last year, RSF units moved to surround key bases in the capital. The attempted putsch was unsuccessful, and violence broke out city-wide.

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

The UN estimates thousands of casualties, with the American officials calling it genocide.

Current Status

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including military drones, used to strike Burhan's stronghold and crucial in the capture of el-Fasher.

Equipped thus, the RSF is in a strategic stalemate with the Sudanese army.

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

With the capture of el-Fasher, the RSF now controls the majority of populated areas in western Sudan.

After allegations of mass killings, Hemedti declared an investigation into abuses perpetrated by his fighters.

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

Alternatively, he may become a political puppet master, controlling businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

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