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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, previously made his fortune trading camels and gold. Currently, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces dominate a vast expanse of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a significant victory by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining military stronghold in the Darfur area.

Feared and despised by his adversaries, Hemedti is revered by his followers for his determination and his promise to overthrow the corrupt state.

Modest Origins

Hemedti's origins are modest. He comes from the Mahariya clan 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 date and place of birth were not officially registered.

Led by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his clan relocated to Darfur in the late 20th century, escaping war and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

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

At that time, 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 indigenous Fur, escalating a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to lead his anti-rebel campaign. They soon became infamous for burning, looting, and killing.

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

A US investigation concluded 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 machine.

At one point he rebelled, demanding unpaid salaries for his soldiers, advancements, and a political position for his brother. Bashir acceded to many of his requests.

Later, when rival militias mutinied, Hemedti commanded loyalist troops that crushed them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

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

Formalizing Power

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

The Janjaweed were integrated into the RSF, receiving modern equipment and training.

International Connections

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, performed less successfully in the Nuba Mountains, and accepted a role to guard the border with Libya.

Supposedly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's commanders also excelled at corruption and human smuggling.

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

The Abu Dhabi connection proved highly significant, beginning a strong alliance with Emirati leadership.

Expanding Influence

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

Hemedti formed an alliance with Russia's Wagner Group, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in gold.

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

Political Betrayal

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

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

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

Return to Violence

As the transition stalled, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which committed massacres, raped women, and allegedly executed men in the Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF committed atrocities.

Pressed by international powers, the military and civil leaders reached a deal, leading to an unstable coexistence for several years.

Current Conflict

When a committee started looking into military-owned companies, the two generals dismissed the civilians and took control.

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

Last year, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in Khartoum. The takeover effort failed, and fighting erupted city-wide.

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

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

Current Status

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

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

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

With the capture of al-Fasher, the RSF now controls almost all populated areas in western Sudan.

After allegations of mass killings, Hemedti announced a probe into abuses perpetrated by his soldiers.

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

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

While Hemedti's troops continue atrocities in al-Fasher, he seems assured of avoiding consequences in a world that does not care.