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Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Currently, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces control around 50% of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

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

Hated and dreaded by his adversaries, Hemedti is admired by his supporters for his determination and his vow to overthrow the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

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

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his exact birth details were not officially registered.

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

Initial Ventures

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

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

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

Rise Through Violence

As a countermeasure, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his anti-rebel campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's unit was part of this, accused in destroying the village of Adwah in late 2004, claiming the lives of over a hundred individuals, including 36 children.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were responsible for genocide.

Calculated Moves

After the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his ascent to become head of a influential militia, a business network, and a political machine.

At one point he rebelled, requesting unpaid salaries for his fighters, promotions, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir granted most of his demands.

Subsequently, when rival militias mutinied, Hemedti commanded government forces that defeated them, gaining control Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jabel Amir.

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

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, getting modern equipment and training.

Regional Ambitions

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, performed less successfully in the Nuba region, and took on a role to police the border with Libya.

Supposedly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's officers also excelled at extortion and people-trafficking.

By 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked Sudanese troops for the Yemen conflict. Hemedti negotiated a separate deal to provide RSF mercenaries.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, beginning a strong alliance with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men trekked to RSF recruiting centers for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti formed an alliance with Russia's Wagner Group, receiving training in exchange for commercial dealings, particularly in the gold trade.

He visited Moscow coincided with the day of the invasion of Ukraine.

Turning on Allies

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the capital Khartoum, nicknaming him "my protector".

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

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

Renewed Brutality

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which killed hundreds, raped women, and reportedly drowned men in the 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 uneasy partnership for several years.

Ongoing War

When a committee began examining military-owned companies, the two generals ousted the government and took control.

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

Last year, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in the capital. The attempted putsch failed, and violence broke out across the city.

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

International organizations report up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the US describing it genocide.

Current Status

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including military drones, used to strike Burhan's stronghold and critical for the capture of al-Fasher.

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

Hemedti has created a parallel government, the so-called unity government, taking the chairmanship.

With the capture of al-Fasher, the RSF now controls the majority of inhabited territory in western Sudan.

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

Sudanese speculate Hemedti envisions himself as president of a breakaway state or aspires to control the entire country.

Alternatively, he may become a political puppet master, commanding businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

While Hemedti's troops commit violence in al-Fasher, he seems assured of impunity in a world that does not care.