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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, previously made his fortune trading camels and gold. Today, his RSF militia control nearly half of Sudan.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

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

Feared and despised by his opponents, Hemedti is revered by his supporters for his tenacity and his pledge to overthrow the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He hails from the Mahariya section of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

His birth year is approximately 1975, like many from rural areas, his exact birth details were never recorded.

Guided by his uncle Juma Dagolo, 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 desert to neighboring countries.

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

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

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to lead his anti-rebel campaign. They soon became infamous for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's unit was part of this, implicated in attacking the village of Adwa in late 2004, killing over a hundred individuals, among them 36 children.

A US investigation determined that the Janjaweed were guilty of crimes against humanity.

Calculated Moves

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 machine.

At one point he rebelled, demanding back-pay for his soldiers, promotions, and a political position for his brother. Bashir acceded to most of his demands.

Later, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti commanded government forces that crushed them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

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

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as head of the new paramilitary group, answering only 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 region, and accepted a contract to guard the Libyan frontier.

Ostensibly stopping illegal crossings, 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 negotiated a separate deal to provide his fighters as contractors.

The Abu Dhabi connection proved most consequential, beginning a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Expanding Influence

Young Sudanese men 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 gold.

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 city of Khartoum, dubbing him "my protector".

It was a miscalculation. In 2019, when protesters called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the military leaders deposed him.

Initially, Hemedti was celebrated as a new leader for Sudan. He tried to reposition himself, but this was short-lived.

Renewed Brutality

As the transition stalled, Hemedti deployed his forces, which killed hundreds, raped women, and allegedly executed men in the Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

Pressed by international powers, the generals and civilians reached a deal, leading to an uneasy partnership for two years.

Current Conflict

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

But they fell out. Burhan demanded the RSF come under army command. Hemedti refused.

Last year, RSF units moved to surround key bases in Khartoum. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted across the city.

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

International organizations report thousands of casualties, with the US describing it ethnic cleansing.

Present Situation

Hemedti's forces obtained modern weapons, including sophisticated drones, deployed against Burhan's stronghold and crucial in the assault on el-Fasher.

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

Hemedti has created a rival administration, the "Government of Peace and Unity", taking the chairmanship.

After taking el-Fasher, the RSF now controls almost all populated areas west of the Nile.

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

Sudanese speculate Hemedti sees himself as ruler of an independent region or aspires to rule all of Sudan.

Alternatively, he may emerge as a political puppet master, commanding businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

And as Hemedti's troops commit violence in al-Fasher, he seems assured of avoiding consequences in a global community that overlooks.