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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Today, his RSF militia control nearly half of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a significant triumph 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 respected by his followers for his determination and his vow to overthrow the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

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

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth were not officially registered.

Guided by his uncle Juma, his clan moved to Darfur in the late 20th century, fleeing conflict and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

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

During that period, Darfur was Sudan's wild west—impoverished, ignored by the regime of then-President Bashir.

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

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

As a countermeasure, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to lead his counter-insurgency campaign. They soon became infamous for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's unit was among them, accused in attacking the village of Adwah in November 2004, killing 126 people, including dozens of minors.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Calculated Moves

In the years following the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his rise to become head of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political machine.

He briefly mutinied, demanding back-pay for his soldiers, promotions, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir acceded to most of his demands.

Subsequently, when rival militias mutinied, Hemedti commanded loyalist troops that crushed them, gaining control Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

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

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received formal status as commander of the new paramilitary group, reporting directly to Bashir.

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

International Connections

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba region, and accepted a role to police the border with Libya.

Supposedly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's commanders also excelled at corruption and human smuggling.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide RSF mercenaries.

His ties with the UAE proved most consequential, marking the start of a strong alliance with UAE officials.

Expanding Influence

Recruits trekked to RSF recruiting centers for signing bonuses of up to $6,000.

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

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 city of Khartoum, dubbing him "my protector".

This backfired. In 2019, when demonstrators called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the military leaders deposed him.

Initially, Hemedti was celebrated as a fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but this was short-lived.

Return to Violence

As the transition stalled, Hemedti deployed his forces, which killed hundreds, raped women, and allegedly executed men in the Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

Pressed by international powers, the military and civil leaders reached a deal, leading to an uneasy partnership for two years.

Current Conflict

As an investigation started looking into military-owned companies, Burhan and Hemedti dismissed the civilians and took control.

However, they disagreed. Burhan demanded the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti refused.

Last year, RSF units moved to surround key bases in the capital. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and violence broke out across the city.

Violence exploded in Darfur, with the RSF launching brutal attacks against the Masalit community.

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

Current Status

The RSF has acquired modern weapons, including military drones, deployed against army positions and critical for the assault on al-Fasher.

With this weaponry, the RSF is in a strategic stalemate with the Sudanese army.

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

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

Following reports of atrocities, Hemedti announced a probe into abuses committed by his fighters.

Many believe Hemedti sees himself as ruler of an independent region or still aims to rule all of Sudan.

Alternatively, he may become a political puppet master, commanding a vast network of interests.

While Hemedti's troops continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he appears confident of impunity in a global community that overlooks.