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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, once earned his living dealing in livestock and precious metals. Today, his RSF militia dominate a vast expanse of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a significant victory by capturing the city of al-Fasher, which was the final army garrison in the western region.

Feared and despised by his enemies, Hemedti is respected by his followers for his tenacity and his pledge to overthrow the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

Hemedti's origins are modest. He comes from the Mahariya section of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

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, his family relocated to Darfur in the late 20th century, fleeing conflict and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

After leaving school in his adolescence, Hemedti began earning by dealing in livestock across the desert to Libya and Egypt.

During that period, Darfur was Sudan's wild west—poor, ignored by the regime of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

Local armed groups known as the Janjaweed attacked villages of the indigenous Fur, escalating a major uprising in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

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

Hemedti's unit was among them, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in November 2004, killing over a hundred individuals, including 36 children.

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

Strategic Maneuvering

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his ascent to become head of a influential militia, a corporate empire, and a political machine.

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

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

Quickly, his business venture Al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan.

Institutionalizing Influence

By 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained formal status as commander of the new paramilitary group, answering only to Bashir.

The Janjaweed were integrated into the RSF, receiving new uniforms, vehicles, and weapons.

Regional Ambitions

Hemedti's forces engaged in Darfur, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and accepted a role to guard the Libyan frontier.

Supposedly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's commanders also excelled at extortion and people-trafficking.

By 2015, Gulf nations asked Sudanese troops for the Yemen conflict. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide RSF mercenaries.

The Abu Dhabi connection proved highly significant, marking the start of a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Expanding Influence

Young Sudanese men 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 commercial dealings, particularly in the gold trade.

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

Turning on Allies

With rising demonstrations, Bashir ordered Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, nicknaming him himayti.

It was a miscalculation. In 2019, when demonstrators called for change, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the military leaders deposed him.

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

Return to Violence

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.

Under foreign pressure, the generals and civilians reached a deal, leading to an unstable coexistence for two years.

Current Conflict

As an investigation began examining army businesses, Burhan and Hemedti ousted the government and took control.

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

In April 2023, RSF units moved to surround strategic locations in Khartoum. The attempted putsch failed, and fighting erupted city-wide.

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

The UN estimates up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the American officials calling it ethnic cleansing.

Current Status

The RSF has acquired modern weapons, including military drones, deployed against Burhan's stronghold and crucial in the capture of 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 al-Fasher, the RSF now holds the majority of inhabited territory in western Sudan.

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

Many believe Hemedti envisions himself as ruler of an independent region or aspires to rule all of Sudan.

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

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