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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, previously made his fortune dealing in livestock and precious metals. Today, his RSF militia dominate a vast expanse of the Sudanese territory.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a significant victory by overrunning the city of al-Fasher, which was the final army garrison in the Darfur area.

Hated and dreaded by his enemies, Hemedti is respected by his followers for his tenacity and his vow to dismantle the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

Hemedti's origins are modest. He comes from the Mahariya clan of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arab group that straddles the Chad-Sudan border region.

Born around 1974, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth were not officially registered.

Led by his uncle Juma, his clan relocated to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, fleeing conflict and seeking better opportunities.

Early Career

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

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

Local armed groups known as the Janjawid raided villages of the indigenous Fur, triggering a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his counter-insurgency campaign. They soon became infamous for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's force was among them, implicated in destroying the village of Adwah in late 2004, claiming the lives of over a hundred individuals, including dozens of minors.

A US investigation concluded that the Janjaweed were responsible for crimes against humanity.

Calculated Moves

In the years following the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his rise to become head of a influential militia, a corporate empire, and a political organization.

He briefly mutinied, demanding back-pay for his fighters, promotions, and a political position for his brother. Bashir granted many of his requests.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti commanded government forces that crushed them, gaining control Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir.

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

Institutionalizing Influence

In 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained official recognition as commander of the new paramilitary group, answering only to Bashir.

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

Regional Ambitions

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

Ostensibly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's officers also engaged in corruption and human smuggling.

By 2015, Gulf nations asked Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide his fighters as contractors.

His ties with the UAE proved highly significant, 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 Russia's Wagner Group, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, including in the gold trade.

His trip to Russia coincided with the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Political Betrayal

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

This backfired. In 2019, when protesters demanded democracy, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the military leaders overthrew him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a new leader for Sudan. He tried to reposition himself, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which committed massacres, raped women, and reportedly drowned men in the Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

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

Ongoing War

As an investigation began examining army businesses, Burhan and Hemedti dismissed the civilians and seized power.

But they fell out. Burhan demanded the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti resisted.

In April 2023, RSF units moved to surround key bases in the capital. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted 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 sophisticated drones, deployed against Burhan's stronghold and critical for the assault on el-Fasher.

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

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

After taking al-Fasher, the RSF now controls the majority of inhabited territory west of the Nile.

After allegations of atrocities, Hemedti declared an investigation into abuses committed by his fighters.

Sudanese speculate Hemedti envisions himself as ruler of an independent region or still aims to control the entire country.

Alternatively, he may become a behind-the-scenes power broker, controlling a vast network of interests.

And as Hemedti's troops commit violence in el-Fasher, he appears confident of impunity in a world that does not care.