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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, previously made his fortune dealing in livestock and precious metals. Now, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces control a vast expanse of the Sudanese territory.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a major triumph by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the final military stronghold in the Darfur area.

Hated and dreaded by his opponents, Hemedti is revered by his loyalists for his ruthlessness and his vow to overthrow the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

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

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his exact birth details were not officially registered.

Led by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his clan moved to Darfur in the late 20th century, fleeing conflict and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

Dropping out of education in his adolescence, Hemedti started making money by trading camels across the Sahara to Libya and Egypt.

At that time, Darfur was a lawless frontier—poor, ignored by the regime of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

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

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

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

Hemedti's force was part of this, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in late 2004, claiming the lives of over a hundred individuals, including dozens of minors.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Calculated Moves

In the years following the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his ascent to become leader of a powerful paramilitary force, a corporate empire, and a political machine.

He briefly mutinied, demanding back-pay for his soldiers, promotions, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir granted most of his demands.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti led government forces that defeated them, gaining control 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 requested and obtained formal status 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.

International Connections

The RSF fought in Darfur, struggled in the Nuba region, and took on a contract to police the Libyan frontier.

Supposedly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's officers also engaged in corruption and human smuggling.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE requested Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti negotiated a separate deal to provide his fighters as contractors.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, beginning a strong alliance with Emirati leadership.

Expanding Influence

Recruits flocked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti formed an alliance with the Russian Wagner organization, receiving training in exchange for commercial dealings, including in the gold trade.

His trip to Russia occurred on the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Turning on Allies

With rising demonstrations, Bashir ordered Hemedti's units to the capital Khartoum, dubbing him himayti.

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 fresh face 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, raped women, and allegedly drowned men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

Under foreign pressure, the generals and civilians reached a deal, leading to an uneasy partnership for two years.

Current Conflict

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

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

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in Khartoum. The attempted putsch failed, 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 genocide.

Current Status

Hemedti's forces obtained modern weapons, including sophisticated drones, deployed against army positions and critical for the capture of el-Fasher.

Equipped thus, 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.

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

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

Sudanese speculate Hemedti sees himself as president of a breakaway state or still aims to control the entire country.

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

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