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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, previously made his fortune dealing in livestock and precious metals. Now, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces control nearly half of the Sudanese territory.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

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

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

Modest Origins

Hemedti's origins are modest. He hails from the Mahariya clan of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arab group that spans the Chad-Sudan border region.

Born around 1974, like many from rural areas, his date and place of birth were not officially registered.

Guided by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his clan relocated to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, fleeing conflict 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 Sahara to neighboring countries.

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

Local armed groups known as the Janjawid raided villages of the native Fur communities, triggering a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his anti-rebel campaign. They soon became infamous for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's force was part of this, accused in attacking the village of Adwah in November 2004, claiming the lives of over a hundred individuals, among them 36 children.

A US investigation determined that the Janjaweed were responsible for crimes against humanity.

Strategic Maneuvering

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his rise to become leader of a powerful paramilitary force, a corporate empire, and a political organization.

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

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units rebelled, Hemedti led loyalist troops that crushed them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jabel Amir.

Rapidly, his business venture al-Gunaid became Sudan's largest gold exporter.

Formalizing Power

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

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

International Connections

Hemedti's forces engaged in Darfur, struggled in the Nuba region, and accepted a role to guard the border with Libya.

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

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

The Abu Dhabi connection proved most consequential, beginning a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Growing Power

Recruits trekked to RSF recruiting centers for signing bonuses of up to $6,000.

Hemedti struck a partnership with the Russian Wagner organization, gaining expertise in exchange for business arrangements, including 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 protesters called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the generals deposed him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a new leader for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

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

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

Pressed by international powers, the generals and civilians agreed to a compromise, leading to an unstable coexistence for two years.

Current Conflict

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

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

In April 2023, RSF units moved to surround strategic locations in Khartoum. The takeover effort failed, and fighting erupted across the city.

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

International organizations report up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the American officials calling it genocide.

Current Status

The RSF has acquired modern weapons, including military drones, used to strike Burhan's stronghold and crucial in the assault on al-Fasher.

With this weaponry, the RSF is in a deadlock with the national military.

Hemedti has formed a parallel government, the so-called unity government, taking the chairmanship.

With the capture of el-Fasher, the RSF now controls the majority of inhabited territory west of the Nile.

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

Sudanese speculate Hemedti envisions himself as ruler of an independent region or still aims to rule all of Sudan.

Alternatively, he may become a political puppet master, controlling businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

While Hemedti's troops continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he appears confident of avoiding consequences in a global community that overlooks.