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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Today, his RSF militia dominate a vast expanse of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a notable triumph by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining army garrison in the Darfur area.

Feared and despised by his adversaries, Hemedti is admired by his loyalists for his tenacity and his promise to overthrow the corrupt state.

Modest Origins

Hemedti's origins are modest. He comes from the Mahariya section of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arab group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth were not officially registered.

Guided by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his family moved to Darfur in the late 20th century, fleeing conflict and seeking better opportunities.

Initial Ventures

After leaving school in his adolescence, Hemedti started making money by dealing in livestock across the desert to neighboring countries.

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

Arab militiamen known as the Janjawid raided villages of the native Fur communities, escalating a major uprising in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

As a countermeasure, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to spearhead his counter-insurgency campaign. They soon became infamous for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's unit was part of this, accused in attacking the village of Adwa in late 2004, killing 126 people, among them dozens of minors.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Calculated Moves

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his rise 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 soldiers, advancements, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir granted most of his demands.

Later, when rival militias rebelled, Hemedti commanded government forces that defeated them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

Rapidly, his business venture al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan.

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as commander of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

Former militiamen were absorbed into the RSF, getting modern equipment and training.

Regional Ambitions

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and took on a contract to guard the Libyan frontier.

Ostensibly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's officers also excelled at corruption and human smuggling.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked Sudanese troops for the Yemen conflict. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide RSF mercenaries.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, marking the start of a close relationship with UAE officials.

Expanding Influence

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti struck a partnership with Russia's Wagner Group, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in gold.

His trip to Russia coincided with the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Turning on Allies

With rising demonstrations, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, dubbing him himayti.

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

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

Return to Violence

As the transition stalled, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which committed massacres, assaulted females, and allegedly drowned men in the Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF committed atrocities.

Under foreign pressure, the generals and civilians agreed to a compromise, leading to an unstable coexistence for several years.

Ongoing War

As an investigation started looking into military-owned companies, the two generals dismissed the civilians and seized power.

However, they disagreed. Burhan insisted the RSF come under army command. Hemedti resisted.

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in Khartoum. The attempted putsch was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted across the city.

Violence exploded in Darfur, with the RSF launching brutal attacks against the Masalit community.

International organizations report up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the US describing it genocide.

Present Situation

The RSF has acquired modern weapons, including military drones, used to strike army positions and critical for the assault on el-Fasher.

With this weaponry, the RSF is in a strategic stalemate with the Sudanese army.

Hemedti has created a parallel government, the so-called unity government, appointing himself leader.

After taking al-Fasher, the RSF now holds the majority of populated areas in western Sudan.

Following reports of mass killings, Hemedti announced a probe into abuses committed by his fighters.

Sudanese speculate Hemedti sees himself as ruler of an independent region or still aims to control the entire country.

Alternatively, he may become a political puppet master, controlling a vast network of interests.

While Hemedti's forces commit violence in el-Fasher, he appears confident of impunity in a world that does not care.