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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living dealing in livestock and precious metals. Today, his RSF militia dominate around 50% of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a notable victory by capturing the city of al-Fasher, which was the last remaining army garrison in the western region.

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

Modest Origins

Hemedti's origins are modest. He comes from the Mahariya section of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

His birth year is approximately 1975, like many from rural areas, his exact birth details were never recorded.

Led by his uncle Juma, his clan relocated 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 dealing in livestock across the desert to Libya and Egypt.

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

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

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

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

Hemedti's force was among them, accused in destroying the village of Adwah in late 2004, claiming the lives of 126 people, among them 36 children.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of crimes against humanity.

Calculated Moves

After the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his rise to become leader of a influential militia, a business network, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, demanding back-pay for his soldiers, promotions, and a government role for his brother. Bashir acceded to many of his requests.

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

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

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received formal status as head of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

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

International Connections

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

Supposedly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's officers also engaged in corruption and human smuggling.

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

His ties with the UAE proved highly significant, beginning a close relationship with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF recruiting centers for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti struck a partnership with Russia's Wagner Group, gaining expertise in exchange for commercial dealings, particularly in gold.

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

Political Betrayal

With rising demonstrations, 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 generals deposed him.

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

Return to Violence

As the transition stalled, Hemedti deployed his forces, which killed hundreds, assaulted females, and allegedly executed men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF committed atrocities.

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

Current Conflict

As an investigation started looking into army businesses, the two generals ousted the government and took control.

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

Last year, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in Khartoum. The attempted putsch failed, and fighting erupted city-wide.

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

International organizations report thousands of casualties, with the US describing it genocide.

Present Situation

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

Equipped thus, the RSF is in a strategic stalemate with the national military.

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

With the capture of al-Fasher, the RSF now controls almost all inhabited territory west of the Nile.

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

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

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

And as Hemedti's forces continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he appears confident of avoiding consequences in a global community that overlooks.