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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, previously made his fortune trading camels and gold. Now, his RSF militia dominate nearly half of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

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

Feared and despised by his opponents, Hemedti is respected by his supporters for his tenacity and his pledge to tear down the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

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

Born around 1974, 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 1970s and 80s, fleeing conflict and seeking better opportunities.

Early Career

Dropping out of education in his early teens, Hemedti began earning by trading camels across the Sahara to Libya and Egypt.

At that time, Darfur was a lawless frontier—poor, neglected by the regime of then-President Bashir.

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

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

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

Hemedti's unit was part of this, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in late 2004, killing 126 people, including dozens of minors.

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

Calculated Moves

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his ascent to become leader of a influential militia, a business network, and a political machine.

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

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

Rapidly, his family company al-Gunaid became Sudan's largest gold exporter.

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as head of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

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

Regional Ambitions

Hemedti's forces engaged in Darfur, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and took on a role to police the border with Libya.

Supposedly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's commanders also engaged in 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 highly significant, beginning a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to $6,000.

Hemedti struck a partnership with Russia's Wagner Group, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in gold.

He visited Moscow coincided with the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Turning on Allies

With rising demonstrations, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the capital Khartoum, nicknaming him "my protector".

This backfired. In April 2019, when protesters demanded democracy, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the military leaders deposed him.

For a time, Hemedti was hailed as a fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

As the transition stalled, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which killed hundreds, assaulted females, 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 agreed to a compromise, leading to an unstable coexistence for two years.

Current Conflict

As an investigation started looking into military-owned companies, the two generals ousted the government and seized power.

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

Last year, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in Khartoum. The attempted putsch failed, and violence broke out city-wide.

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

International organizations report thousands of casualties, with the American officials calling it ethnic cleansing.

Present Situation

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including sophisticated drones, used to strike Burhan's stronghold and critical for the assault on al-Fasher.

Equipped thus, the RSF is in a deadlock with the Sudanese army.

Hemedti has created a rival administration, the "Government of Peace and Unity", taking the chairmanship.

With the capture of al-Fasher, the RSF now holds almost all inhabited territory west of the Nile.

After allegations of atrocities, Hemedti announced a probe into violations perpetrated by his soldiers.

Sudanese speculate Hemedti sees 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, commanding a vast network of interests.

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