{From Camel Trader to Warlord: The Rise of a Man Who Now Controls Half of Sudan

The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, previously made his fortune trading camels and gold. Now, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces dominate nearly half of Sudan.

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a notable victory by capturing the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining military stronghold in the Darfur area.

Hated and dreaded by his enemies, Hemedti is revered by his supporters for his ruthlessness and his pledge to dismantle the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

His background is humble. He hails from the Mahariya section of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, 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 moved to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, fleeing conflict and seeking better opportunities.

Early Career

Dropping out of education in his adolescence, Hemedti began earning by dealing in livestock 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 Janjawid attacked villages of the indigenous Fur, escalating a major uprising in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

As a countermeasure, Bashir massively expanded the Janjaweed to spearhead his counter-insurgency campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's unit was among them, implicated in attacking the village of Adwah in November 2004, claiming the lives of 126 people, among them dozens of minors.

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 head of a influential militia, a business network, and a political machine.

He briefly mutinied, demanding unpaid salaries for his soldiers, advancements, and a government role for his sibling. Bashir granted many of his requests.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti led loyalist troops 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.

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained official recognition as head of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

Former militiamen were absorbed into the RSF, receiving new uniforms, vehicles, and weapons.

Regional Ambitions

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and accepted a contract to police the Libyan frontier.

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

In 2015, Gulf nations requested Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti negotiated a separate deal to provide his fighters as contractors.

The Abu Dhabi connection proved most consequential, beginning a close relationship with Emirati leadership.

Expanding Influence

Young Sudanese men trekked to RSF recruiting centers for cash payments of up to $6,000.

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

He visited Moscow coincided with the day of the invasion of Ukraine.

Political Betrayal

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, nicknaming him "my protector".

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 fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but that lasted only weeks.

Renewed Brutality

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

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF committed atrocities.

Pressed by international powers, the generals and civilians agreed to a compromise, leading to an uneasy partnership for several years.

Current Conflict

When a committee began examining army businesses, Burhan and Hemedti ousted the government and seized power.

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

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

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

The UN estimates up to 15,000 civilian deaths, with the American officials calling it genocide.

Current Status

The RSF has acquired advanced arms, including military drones, used to strike army positions 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 parallel government, the "Government of Peace and Unity", taking the chairmanship.

With the capture of al-Fasher, the RSF now holds almost all populated areas west of the Nile.

After allegations of atrocities, Hemedti declared an investigation into violations committed by his soldiers.

Sudanese speculate Hemedti envisions himself as president of a breakaway state or still aims to control the entire country.

Alternatively, he may become a political puppet master, commanding businesses, a mercenary army, and a political party.

While Hemedti's troops commit violence in el-Fasher, he seems assured of avoiding consequences in a global community that overlooks.