🔗 Share this article

The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Currently, his RSF militia hold sway over nearly half of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a significant triumph by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the final army garrison in the Darfur area.

Hated and dreaded by his enemies, Hemedti is revered by his loyalists for his tenacity and his pledge to dismantle the discredited state.

Modest Origins

Hemedti's origins are modest. He hails from the Mahariya clan of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arab 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.

Guided by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his family relocated to Darfur in the late 20th century, escaping war and seeking better opportunities.

Early Career

Dropping out of education in his adolescence, Hemedti started making money by dealing in livestock across the Sahara to neighboring countries.

At that time, Darfur was a lawless frontier—impoverished, ignored by the government of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

Local armed groups known as the Janjaweed attacked villages of the native Fur communities, escalating a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to lead his counter-insurgency campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's unit was among them, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in late 2004, killing 126 people, including 36 children.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Strategic Maneuvering

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

He briefly mutinied, demanding back-pay for his soldiers, promotions, and a government role for his sibling. Bashir granted most of his demands.

Later, when rival militias rebelled, Hemedti led loyalist troops that crushed them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

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

Institutionalizing Influence

By 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained formal status as commander of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

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

International Connections

The RSF fought in Darfur, performed less successfully in the Nuba region, and took on a contract to police the Libyan frontier.

Ostensibly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's commanders 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.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, beginning a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Growing Power

Recruits flocked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti formed an alliance with the Russian Wagner organization, gaining expertise in exchange for commercial dealings, including in gold.

His trip to Russia occurred on the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Political Betrayal

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

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

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

Return to Violence

As the transition stalled, Hemedti deployed his forces, which committed massacres, raped women, and allegedly executed men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF committed atrocities.

Under foreign pressure, the military and civil leaders agreed to a compromise, leading to an uneasy partnership for two years.

Ongoing War

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

But they fell out. Burhan insisted the RSF come under army command. Hemedti refused.

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in Khartoum. The attempted putsch was unsuccessful, and violence broke out city-wide.

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

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

Current Status

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

Equipped thus, 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.

With the capture of el-Fasher, the RSF now controls almost all populated areas west of the Nile.

Following reports of mass killings, Hemedti announced a probe into abuses perpetrated by his soldiers.

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

It's also possible, he may emerge as a political puppet master, controlling businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

And as Hemedti's forces continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he seems assured of avoiding consequences in a world that does not care.