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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, previously made his fortune dealing in livestock and precious metals. Today, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces hold sway over nearly half of Sudan.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a major victory by capturing the city of el-Fasher, which was the final military stronghold in the western region.

Feared and despised by his adversaries, Hemedti is revered by his followers for his tenacity and his pledge to tear down the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya section of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that spans the Chad-Sudan border region.

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth were never recorded.

Led by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his family relocated 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 dealing in livestock across the desert to neighboring countries.

During that period, Darfur was a lawless frontier—impoverished, neglected by the regime of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

Arab militiamen known as the Janjawid attacked villages of the indigenous Fur, triggering a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

As a countermeasure, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to lead his counter-insurgency campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for widespread atrocities.

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

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

Calculated Moves

In the years following the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his rise to become head of a influential militia, a business network, and a political organization.

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

Subsequently, when rival militias rebelled, Hemedti led loyalist troops that crushed them, gaining control Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

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

Institutionalizing Influence

In 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as commander of the new paramilitary group, reporting directly to Bashir.

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

International Connections

Hemedti's forces engaged in Darfur, performed less successfully in the Nuba Mountains, and accepted a role to police the Libyan frontier.

Ostensibly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's commanders also engaged in extortion and people-trafficking.

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

The Abu Dhabi connection proved most consequential, marking the start of a close relationship with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Recruits flocked to RSF recruiting centers for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

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

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

Political Betrayal

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, dubbing him himayti.

This backfired. In 2019, when protesters called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the military leaders overthrew him.

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

Renewed Brutality

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which killed hundreds, assaulted females, and reportedly drowned men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF committed atrocities.

Pressed by international powers, the military and civil leaders agreed to a compromise, leading to an unstable coexistence for two years.

Current Conflict

When a committee began examining military-owned companies, the two generals dismissed the civilians and took control.

However, they disagreed. Burhan demanded the RSF come under army command. Hemedti resisted.

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

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

The UN estimates up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the US describing it genocide.

Present Situation

The RSF has acquired advanced arms, including sophisticated drones, used to strike army positions 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", taking the chairmanship.

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

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

Many believe Hemedti sees himself as president of a breakaway state or aspires to control the entire country.

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

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