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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Now, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces dominate nearly half of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a major victory by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the final army garrison in the western region.

Hated and dreaded by his enemies, Hemedti is respected by his loyalists for his determination and his pledge to dismantle the corrupt state.

Modest Origins

Hemedti's origins are modest. He hails from the Mahariya clan of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arab group that spans Chad and Darfur.

Born around 1974, like many from rural areas, his exact birth details were not officially registered.

Led by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his clan moved to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, fleeing conflict and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

Dropping out of education in his early teens, Hemedti started making money by dealing in livestock across the Sahara to Libya and Egypt.

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

Arab militiamen known as the Janjawid raided villages of the indigenous Fur, escalating a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

As a countermeasure, 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, implicated in destroying the village of Adwa in late 2004, killing over a hundred individuals, including 36 children.

A US investigation determined that the Janjaweed were responsible for genocide.

Strategic Maneuvering

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his rise to become head of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political organization.

He briefly mutinied, requesting back-pay for his fighters, advancements, and a government role for his brother. Bashir granted most of his demands.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti commanded loyalist troops that defeated them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jabel Amir.

Rapidly, his family company Al-Gunaid became Sudan's largest gold exporter.

Institutionalizing Influence

By 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained formal status as head of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

Former militiamen were absorbed into the RSF, receiving new uniforms, vehicles, and weapons.

International Connections

Hemedti's forces engaged in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba region, and took on a role to guard the Libyan frontier.

Ostensibly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's commanders also engaged in extortion and people-trafficking.

By 2015, Gulf nations asked Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide RSF mercenaries.

The Abu Dhabi connection proved most consequential, marking the start of a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF recruiting centers for signing bonuses of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti struck a partnership with Russia's Wagner Group, gaining expertise in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in the gold trade.

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

Turning on Allies

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the capital Khartoum, dubbing him "my protector".

It was a miscalculation. In 2019, when demonstrators called for change, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the generals overthrew him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a new leader for Sudan. He tried to reposition himself, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

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

Hemedti has denied 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.

Ongoing War

As an investigation began examining military-owned companies, Burhan and Hemedti ousted the government and seized power.

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

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in Khartoum. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and violence broke out city-wide.

Conflict intensified in Darfur, with the RSF mounting a vicious campaign against the Masalit people.

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

Current Status

The RSF has acquired advanced arms, including military drones, deployed against Burhan's stronghold and critical for the assault on al-Fasher.

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

Hemedti has created a rival administration, the "Government of Peace and Unity", appointing himself leader.

With the capture of el-Fasher, the RSF now holds almost all populated areas west of the Nile.

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

Sudanese speculate Hemedti envisions himself as ruler of an independent region or aspires to control the entire country.

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

While Hemedti's troops continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he appears confident of avoiding consequences in a world that does not care.