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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, previously made his fortune dealing in livestock and precious metals. Now, his RSF militia dominate around 50% of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

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

Feared and despised by his enemies, Hemedti is revered by his supporters for his ruthlessness and his promise to tear down the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

Hemedti's origins are modest. He hails from the Mahariya section of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arabic-speaking group that spans 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, his family moved to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, escaping war and seeking better opportunities.

Initial Ventures

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

During that period, Darfur was Sudan's wild west—poor, neglected by the government of then-President Bashir.

Arab militiamen known as the Janjaweed raided villages of the native Fur communities, escalating a major uprising in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

As a countermeasure, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to lead his anti-rebel campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for widespread atrocities.

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

A US investigation determined that the Janjaweed were responsible for genocide.

Calculated Moves

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

At one point he rebelled, requesting back-pay for his fighters, advancements, and a government role for his sibling. Bashir granted most of his demands.

Subsequently, when rival militias rebelled, Hemedti led loyalist troops that defeated them, taking over Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jebel Amir.

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

Formalizing Power

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

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

Regional Ambitions

Hemedti's forces engaged in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba region, and accepted a role to police the border with Libya.

Ostensibly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's officers also engaged in extortion and people-trafficking.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE requested Sudanese troops for the Yemen conflict. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide his fighters as contractors.

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

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti struck a partnership with the Russian Wagner organization, gaining expertise in exchange for business arrangements, particularly in gold.

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

Political Betrayal

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

This backfired. In April 2019, when demonstrators demanded democracy, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the generals 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 executed men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF committed atrocities.

Under foreign pressure, the military and civil leaders reached a deal, leading to an unstable coexistence for several years.

Ongoing War

When a committee began examining army businesses, the two generals dismissed the civilians and took control.

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

Last year, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in the capital. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted city-wide.

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

The UN estimates thousands of casualties, with the American officials calling it genocide.

Present Situation

The RSF has acquired advanced arms, including sophisticated drones, used to strike army positions and crucial in the capture of el-Fasher.

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

Hemedti has created a parallel government, the so-called unity government, appointing himself leader.

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

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

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

It's also possible, he may emerge as a behind-the-scenes power broker, commanding a vast network of interests.

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