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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, previously made his fortune dealing in livestock and precious metals. Currently, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces control around 50% of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a notable triumph by capturing the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining army garrison in the western region.

Feared and despised by his adversaries, Hemedti is respected by his loyalists for his tenacity and his vow to dismantle the corrupt state.

Modest Origins

His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya section of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arab group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

Born around 1974, like many from rural areas, his exact birth details were never recorded.

Led by his uncle Juma, his family relocated to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, escaping war and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

Dropping out of education in his early teens, Hemedti began earning by dealing in livestock across the desert to Libya and Egypt.

At that time, Darfur was Sudan's wild west—poor, neglected by the regime of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

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

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

As a countermeasure, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to lead his anti-rebel campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's unit was among them, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in late 2004, killing over a hundred individuals, including dozens of minors.

A US investigation determined that the Janjaweed were guilty of crimes against humanity.

Calculated Moves

In the years following the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his ascent to become head of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political machine.

At one point he rebelled, demanding back-pay for his soldiers, advancements, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir granted many of his requests.

Later, when other Janjaweed units rebelled, Hemedti led government forces that defeated them, gaining control Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

Rapidly, his business venture al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan.

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as commander of the new paramilitary group, answering only to Bashir.

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

International Connections

Hemedti's forces engaged in the Darfur conflict, performed less successfully in the Nuba region, and took on a contract to guard the Libyan frontier.

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

By 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked Sudanese troops for the Yemen conflict. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide his fighters as contractors.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, marking the start of a strong alliance with UAE officials.

Expanding Influence

Young Sudanese men trekked to RSF enlistment offices for signing bonuses of up to $6,000.

Hemedti formed an alliance with the Russian Wagner organization, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in gold.

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

Turning on Allies

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, nicknaming him "my protector".

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

For a time, Hemedti was hailed as a new leader 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 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 two years.

Ongoing War

As an investigation began examining army businesses, the two generals dismissed the civilians and seized power.

But they fell out. Burhan demanded the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti refused.

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in Khartoum. The attempted putsch was unsuccessful, and violence broke out across the city.

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

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

Current Status

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including military drones, deployed against army positions and crucial in the capture of el-Fasher.

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

Hemedti has formed a rival administration, the so-called unity government, appointing himself leader.

After taking el-Fasher, the RSF now controls the majority of inhabited territory in western Sudan.

After allegations of atrocities, Hemedti declared an investigation into abuses perpetrated by his fighters.

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

Alternatively, he may emerge as a behind-the-scenes power broker, controlling businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

While Hemedti's forces commit violence in el-Fasher, he seems assured of avoiding consequences in a global community that overlooks.