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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, once earned his living dealing in livestock and precious metals. Now, his RSF militia hold sway over nearly half of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a significant triumph by capturing the city of el-Fasher, which was the final army garrison in the Darfur area.

Feared and despised by his adversaries, Hemedti is respected by his followers for his ruthlessness and his pledge to dismantle the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

Hemedti's origins are modest. He hails from the Mahariya section of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that spans Chad and Darfur.

Born around 1974, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth were never recorded.

Guided by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his clan moved to Darfur in the late 20th century, escaping war and in search of greener pastures.

Early Career

Dropping out of education in his adolescence, Hemedti started making money by trading camels across the desert to neighboring countries.

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

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

Rise Through Violence

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, implicated in destroying the village of Adwah in late 2004, claiming the lives of over a hundred individuals, among them dozens of minors.

A US investigation determined that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Calculated Moves

After the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his ascent to become head of a influential militia, a corporate empire, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, demanding unpaid salaries for his soldiers, advancements, and a government role for his brother. Bashir acceded to most of his demands.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti led government forces that defeated them, gaining control Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jabel Amir.

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

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained formal status as head of the new paramilitary group, reporting directly to Bashir.

Former militiamen were absorbed into the RSF, getting modern equipment and training.

Regional Ambitions

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, performed less successfully in the Nuba Mountains, and took on a role to guard the Libyan frontier.

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

By 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE requested Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti negotiated a separate deal to provide his fighters as contractors.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, marking the start of a close relationship with UAE officials.

Growing Power

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

His trip to Russia coincided with the day of the invasion of Ukraine.

Turning on Allies

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

It was a miscalculation. In April 2019, when protesters demanded democracy, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the generals deposed him.

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

Renewed Brutality

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti deployed his forces, which killed hundreds, raped women, and allegedly executed men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

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

Ongoing War

As an investigation began examining army businesses, Burhan and Hemedti dismissed the civilians and seized power.

However, they disagreed. Burhan insisted the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti refused.

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in the capital. The attempted putsch was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted across the city.

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

The UN estimates thousands of casualties, with the US describing it genocide.

Present Situation

Hemedti's forces obtained modern weapons, including sophisticated drones, deployed against Burhan's stronghold and critical for the assault on al-Fasher.

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

Hemedti has formed a rival administration, the "Government of Peace and Unity", appointing himself leader.

After taking el-Fasher, the RSF now controls the majority of inhabited territory west of the Nile.

Following reports of mass killings, Hemedti announced a probe into violations committed by his fighters.

Many believe Hemedti sees himself as ruler of an independent region or aspires to control the entire country.

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

And as Hemedti's forces commit violence in al-Fasher, he appears confident of impunity in a global community that overlooks.