🔗 Share this article

The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living dealing in livestock and precious metals. Currently, his RSF militia control a vast expanse of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a significant victory by overrunning the city of al-Fasher, which was the last remaining military stronghold in the western region.

Feared and despised by his adversaries, Hemedti is admired by his loyalists for his ruthlessness and his vow to overthrow the corrupt state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya section of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

Born around 1974, like many from rural areas, his date and place of birth were not officially registered.

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

Initial Ventures

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

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

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

Rise Through Violence

In response, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his counter-insurgency campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's force was among them, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in late 2004, claiming the lives of over a hundred individuals, among them 36 children.

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

Calculated Moves

In the years following the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his rise to become head of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political organization.

He briefly mutinied, demanding back-pay for his fighters, advancements, and a government role for his sibling. Bashir granted many of his requests.

Subsequently, when rival militias rebelled, Hemedti commanded government forces that crushed them, gaining control Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jabel Amir.

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

Institutionalizing Influence

By 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained official recognition as head of the new paramilitary group, reporting directly 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.

Supposedly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's officers also engaged in 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 highly significant, marking the start of a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Expanding Influence

Recruits flocked to RSF enlistment offices for signing bonuses of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti formed an alliance with the Russian Wagner organization, receiving training in exchange for commercial dealings, including in the gold trade.

His trip to Russia 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 himayti.

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

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which committed massacres, raped women, and allegedly drowned 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.

Ongoing War

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

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

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in Khartoum. The attempted putsch failed, and violence broke out across the city.

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

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

Present Situation

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's also possible, he may become a political puppet master, commanding 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.