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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, previously made his fortune dealing in livestock and precious metals. Now, his RSF militia hold sway over nearly half of Sudan.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a significant victory by overrunning the city of al-Fasher, which was the final military stronghold in the Darfur area.

Feared and despised by his opponents, Hemedti is admired by his supporters for his determination and his pledge to overthrow the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He hails from the Mahariya clan of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arabic-speaking group that spans the Chad-Sudan border region.

His birth year is approximately 1975, like many from rural areas, his date and place of birth were not officially registered.

Guided by his uncle Juma, his clan moved to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, escaping war and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

Dropping out of education in his adolescence, 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 government of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

Local armed groups known as the Janjaweed raided villages of the native Fur communities, escalating a major uprising in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

As a countermeasure, 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, implicated in destroying the village of Adwah in November 2004, killing 126 people, including dozens of minors.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of crimes against humanity.

Calculated Moves

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his ascent to become leader of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political machine.

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

Later, when rival militias mutinied, Hemedti commanded loyalist troops that defeated them, taking over Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine 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 new paramilitary group, answering only to Bashir.

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

Regional Ambitions

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and accepted a contract to police the Libyan frontier.

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

By 2015, Gulf nations requested Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti negotiated a separate deal to provide RSF mercenaries.

The Abu Dhabi connection proved most consequential, beginning a strong alliance with Emirati leadership.

Growing Power

Recruits trekked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to $6,000.

Hemedti struck a partnership with the Russian Wagner organization, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in the gold trade.

He visited Moscow coincided with the day of the invasion of Ukraine.

Turning on Allies

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, nicknaming 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 fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but this was short-lived.

Renewed Brutality

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

Hemedti has denied that the RSF committed atrocities.

Under foreign pressure, the military and civil leaders reached a deal, leading to an unstable coexistence for two years.

Ongoing War

When a committee began examining army businesses, Burhan and Hemedti ousted the government and took control.

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

In April 2023, RSF units moved to surround key bases in Khartoum. The attempted putsch was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted across the city.

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

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

Current Status

Hemedti's forces obtained modern weapons, including military drones, deployed against Burhan's stronghold and critical for the assault on al-Fasher.

Equipped thus, the RSF is in a strategic stalemate with the national military.

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

After taking al-Fasher, the RSF now holds the majority of inhabited territory west of the Nile.

After allegations of mass killings, Hemedti declared an investigation into violations perpetrated by his soldiers.

Many believe Hemedti envisions himself as president of a breakaway state or aspires to rule all of Sudan.

It's also possible, he may become a political puppet master, controlling a vast network of interests.

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