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

The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Today, his RSF militia hold sway over nearly half of the Sudanese territory.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a significant triumph by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining army garrison in the western region.

Hated and dreaded by his opponents, Hemedti is respected by his loyalists for his determination and his pledge to overthrow the corrupt state.

Modest Origins

His background is humble. He hails from the Mahariya clan of the camel-herding Rizeigat community, an Arab group that straddles Chad and Darfur.

His birth year is approximately 1975, like many from rural areas, his exact birth details were not officially registered.

Led by his uncle Juma, his clan moved to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, escaping war and seeking better opportunities.

Initial Ventures

Dropping out of education in his early teens, Hemedti started making money by trading camels across the Sahara to Libya and Egypt.

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

Arab militiamen known as the Janjaweed raided villages of the native Fur communities, escalating a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

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

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

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Calculated Moves

After the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his rise to become leader of a influential militia, a corporate empire, and a political machine.

At one point he rebelled, requesting back-pay for his soldiers, promotions, and a government role for his sibling. Bashir acceded to most of his demands.

Later, when rival militias rebelled, Hemedti led loyalist troops that crushed them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jabel Amir.

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

Institutionalizing Influence

In 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as head of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, answering only to Bashir.

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

International Connections

Hemedti's forces engaged in Darfur, performed less successfully in the Nuba region, and took on a role to police the Libyan frontier.

Ostensibly stopping illegal crossings, Hemedti's officers also engaged in extortion and people-trafficking.

By 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE requested 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 strong alliance with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men trekked to RSF enlistment offices for cash payments of up to six thousand dollars.

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

He visited Moscow occurred on the day of the invasion of Ukraine.

Political Betrayal

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

This backfired. In April 2019, when protesters demanded democracy, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the generals deposed him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a new leader for Sudan. He tried to reposition himself, but this was short-lived.

Renewed Brutality

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

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

Pressed by international powers, the generals and civilians agreed to a compromise, leading to an unstable coexistence for two years.

Current Conflict

When a committee began examining military-owned companies, the two generals dismissed the civilians and seized power.

But they fell out. Burhan insisted the RSF come under army command. Hemedti resisted.

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

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

International organizations report thousands of casualties, with the American officials calling it genocide.

Current Status

The RSF has acquired advanced arms, including sophisticated drones, deployed against army positions and crucial in the capture of el-Fasher.

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

Hemedti has created a parallel government, the so-called unity government, appointing himself leader.

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

After allegations of mass killings, Hemedti declared an investigation into violations perpetrated by his soldiers.

Many believe Hemedti sees himself as ruler of an independent region or still aims to control the entire country.

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

And as Hemedti's forces continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he appears confident of impunity in a world that does not care.