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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Currently, his RSF militia hold sway over around 50% of the Sudanese territory.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a major triumph by capturing the city of al-Fasher, which was the final military stronghold in the western region.

Feared and despised by his adversaries, Hemedti is respected by his followers for his tenacity and his vow to overthrow the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya clan of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles the Chad-Sudan border region.

Born around 1974, like many from rural areas, 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 in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

After leaving school in his early teens, Hemedti started making money by trading camels across the desert to neighboring countries.

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

Arab militiamen known as the Janjaweed attacked villages of the native Fur communities, triggering 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 force was among them, implicated in attacking the village of Adwa in late 2004, killing 126 people, including 36 children.

International inquiries determined that the Janjaweed were responsible for crimes against humanity.

Calculated Moves

After the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his rise to become head of a powerful paramilitary force, a corporate empire, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, demanding unpaid salaries for his soldiers, promotions, and a political position for his brother. Bashir acceded to most of his demands.

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

Quickly, his business venture Al-Gunaid became Sudan's largest gold exporter.

Institutionalizing Influence

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

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

International Connections

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

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

In 2015, Gulf nations requested Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti struck his own agreement 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 trekked to RSF recruiting centers 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, including in the gold trade.

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

Turning on Allies

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

It was a miscalculation. In April 2019, when demonstrators demanded democracy, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the military leaders deposed him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a fresh face for Sudan. He tried to reposition himself, but this was short-lived.

Renewed Brutality

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti deployed his forces, which committed massacres, assaulted females, and allegedly drowned men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF committed atrocities.

Under foreign pressure, the generals and civilians reached a deal, leading to an uneasy partnership for several years.

Current Conflict

As an investigation began examining military-owned companies, Burhan and Hemedti dismissed the civilians and took control.

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

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in the capital. The takeover effort failed, and violence broke out city-wide.

Violence exploded in Darfur, with the RSF mounting a vicious campaign against the Masalit people.

International organizations report up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the American officials calling it genocide.

Present Situation

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including sophisticated drones, deployed against army positions and crucial in the assault on al-Fasher.

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

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

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

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

Many believe Hemedti sees himself as president of a breakaway state or aspires to control the entire country.

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

And as Hemedti's troops commit violence in el-Fasher, he appears confident of avoiding consequences in a global community that overlooks.