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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, once earned his living dealing in livestock and precious metals. Now, his RSF militia hold sway over a vast expanse of the Sudanese territory.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a major triumph by capturing the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining army garrison in the western region.

Hated and dreaded by his adversaries, Hemedti is admired by his followers for his tenacity and his pledge to dismantle the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

Hemedti's origins are modest. He hails from the Mahariya section of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles the Chad-Sudan border region.

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

Led by his uncle Juma, his family moved to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, escaping war and seeking better opportunities.

Early Career

After leaving school in his adolescence, Hemedti started making money by trading camels across the Sahara to Libya and Egypt.

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

Local armed groups known as the Janjaweed raided villages of the indigenous Fur, escalating a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his counter-insurgency campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's unit was part of this, accused in destroying the village of Adwah in late 2004, claiming the lives of 126 people, among them 36 children.

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

Calculated Moves

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his ascent to become head of a influential militia, a corporate empire, and a political machine.

He briefly mutinied, demanding back-pay for his soldiers, advancements, and a government role for his sibling. Bashir granted many of his requests.

Later, when rival militias rebelled, Hemedti led loyalist troops that defeated them, gaining control Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jebel Amir.

Quickly, his family company Al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan.

Institutionalizing Influence

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as head of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, answering only to Bashir.

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

International Connections

Hemedti's forces engaged in Darfur, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and took on a role to police the border with Libya.

Ostensibly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's commanders also engaged in corruption and human smuggling.

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

His ties with the UAE proved highly significant, marking the start of a strong alliance with Emirati leadership.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men trekked to RSF enlistment offices for signing bonuses of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti formed an alliance with the Russian Wagner organization, gaining expertise in exchange for commercial dealings, particularly in the gold trade.

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

Political Betrayal

With rising demonstrations, Bashir ordered Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, nicknaming him "my protector".

This backfired. In 2019, when demonstrators demanded democracy, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the military leaders deposed him.

For a time, Hemedti was hailed as a fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

As the transition stalled, Hemedti deployed his forces, which committed massacres, raped women, and reportedly drowned men in the Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

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

Ongoing War

When a committee started looking into military-owned companies, Burhan and Hemedti ousted the government and took control.

However, they disagreed. Burhan demanded the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti resisted.

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in the capital. The attempted putsch failed, and violence broke out city-wide.

Conflict intensified in Darfur, with the RSF launching brutal attacks against the Masalit people.

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

Current Status

Hemedti's forces obtained modern weapons, including military drones, used to strike army positions and crucial in 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 so-called unity government, taking the chairmanship.

With the capture of el-Fasher, the RSF now controls the majority of populated areas west of the Nile.

Following reports of atrocities, Hemedti declared an investigation into violations committed by his soldiers.

Sudanese speculate 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, controlling a vast network of interests.

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