{From Camel Trader to Warlord: The Rise of a Man Who Now Dominates a Major Portion of Sudan

Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, previously made his fortune trading camels and gold. Now, his RSF militia control around 50% of Sudan.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a significant triumph by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the final military stronghold in the Darfur area.

Hated and dreaded by his opponents, Hemedti is admired by his supporters for his tenacity and his vow to dismantle the discredited state.

Humble Beginnings

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

His birth year is approximately 1975, 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 late 20th century, escaping war and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

Dropping out of education in his early teens, Hemedti began earning by dealing in livestock across the Sahara to neighboring countries.

During that period, Darfur was a lawless frontier—impoverished, neglected by the government of then-President Bashir.

Arab militiamen known as the Janjawid raided villages of the native Fur communities, 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 force was part of this, implicated in destroying the village of Adwa in late 2004, killing over a hundred individuals, including 36 children.

A US investigation concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Strategic Maneuvering

After the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his rise to become leader of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, requesting back-pay for his soldiers, promotions, and a political position for his brother. Bashir granted most of his demands.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units rebelled, Hemedti commanded government forces that crushed them, taking over Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jebel Amir.

Quickly, his business venture al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan.

Institutionalizing Influence

In 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained formal status as head of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, answering only to Bashir.

Former militiamen were absorbed into the RSF, getting modern equipment and training.

International Connections

The RSF fought in Darfur, performed less successfully in the Nuba Mountains, and accepted a role to police the Libyan frontier.

Ostensibly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's commanders also excelled at corruption and human smuggling.

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

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

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to $6,000.

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

His trip to Russia 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".

It was a miscalculation. In April 2019, when protesters called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the generals overthrew him.

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

Return to Violence

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which killed hundreds, assaulted females, and allegedly executed men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF committed atrocities.

Under foreign pressure, the military and civil leaders agreed to a compromise, leading to an uneasy partnership for two years.

Ongoing War

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.

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize key bases in the capital. The takeover effort failed, and fighting erupted across the city.

Violence exploded in Darfur, with the RSF mounting a vicious campaign against the Masalit community.

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

Current Status

The RSF has acquired modern weapons, including military drones, deployed against Burhan's stronghold and critical for 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.

After taking al-Fasher, the RSF now holds almost all inhabited territory west of the Nile.

Following reports of mass killings, Hemedti declared an investigation into violations committed by his fighters.

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

It's also possible, he may become a behind-the-scenes power broker, commanding a vast network of interests.

While Hemedti's forces commit violence in al-Fasher, he appears confident of impunity in a world that does not care.