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

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a major victory by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining military stronghold in the Darfur area.

Feared and despised by his enemies, Hemedti is revered by his loyalists for his ruthlessness and his promise to dismantle the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya clan of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his exact birth details were never recorded.

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

Initial Ventures

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

At that time, Darfur was Sudan's wild west—poor, ignored by the government of then-President Bashir.

Local armed groups known as the Janjawid attacked villages of the native Fur communities, triggering a major uprising in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

As a countermeasure, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to lead his anti-rebel campaign. They soon became infamous for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's force was part of this, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in November 2004, claiming the lives of 126 people, including 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 ascent to become head of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political organization.

He briefly mutinied, requesting back-pay for his soldiers, advancements, and a political position for his brother. Bashir acceded to many of his requests.

Later, when other Janjaweed units rebelled, Hemedti commanded government forces that defeated them, taking over Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jebel Amir.

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

Formalizing Power

In 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained official recognition as commander of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

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

Regional Ambitions

The RSF fought in Darfur, performed less successfully in the Nuba region, and accepted a contract to police the border with Libya.

Ostensibly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's officers also excelled at corruption and human smuggling.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE requested Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide his fighters as contractors.

The Abu Dhabi connection proved highly significant, beginning a strong alliance with UAE officials.

Growing Power

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

Hemedti struck a partnership with Russia's Wagner Group, gaining expertise in exchange for business arrangements, including in gold.

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

Turning on Allies

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

It was a miscalculation. In April 2019, when protesters called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the military leaders overthrew him.

For a time, Hemedti was hailed as a fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but this was short-lived.

Renewed Brutality

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti deployed his forces, which committed massacres, assaulted females, and reportedly executed men in the River 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 army businesses, the two generals dismissed the civilians and took control.

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

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

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

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

Present Situation

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including military drones, deployed against army positions and critical for the assault on al-Fasher.

With this weaponry, the RSF is in a strategic stalemate with the Sudanese army.

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

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

After allegations of mass killings, Hemedti announced a probe into abuses perpetrated by his soldiers.

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

It's also possible, he may emerge as a behind-the-scenes power broker, commanding 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 world that does not care.