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

Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Today, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces dominate nearly half of the Sudanese territory.

Seizing Power in Darfur

The RSF recently achieved a notable victory 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 followers for his tenacity and his vow to overthrow the discredited state.

Modest Origins

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

Born around 1974, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth were never recorded.

Led by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his clan moved to Darfur in the late 20th century, fleeing conflict and seeking better opportunities.

Initial Ventures

Dropping out of education in his early teens, Hemedti started making money by trading camels across the desert to neighboring countries.

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

Arab militiamen known as the Janjawid attacked villages of the native Fur communities, escalating a major uprising in 2003.

Ascendancy Amid Conflict

In response, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to lead his anti-rebel campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for widespread atrocities.

Hemedti's force was among them, accused in destroying the village of Adwa in late 2004, claiming the lives of over a hundred individuals, among them dozens of minors.

International inquiries concluded that the Janjaweed were responsible for 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 corporate empire, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, demanding unpaid salaries for his fighters, advancements, and a political position for his sibling. Bashir acceded to many of his requests.

Subsequently, when rival militias mutinied, Hemedti led government forces that defeated them, taking over Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jabel Amir.

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

Institutionalizing Influence

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as commander of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir.

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

Regional Ambitions

The RSF fought in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba region, and took on a role to police the border with Libya.

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

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked Sudanese troops for the war in Yemen. Hemedti struck his own agreement to provide his fighters as contractors.

His ties with the UAE proved highly significant, marking the start of a strong alliance with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Recruits trekked to RSF enlistment offices for signing bonuses of up to $6,000.

Hemedti struck a partnership with the Russian Wagner organization, gaining expertise in exchange for business arrangements, including in the gold trade.

He visited Moscow occurred on the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Political Betrayal

With rising demonstrations, Bashir ordered Hemedti's units to the capital Khartoum, dubbing him himayti.

This backfired. In April 2019, when protesters called for change, Bashir instructed troops to shoot. Instead, the generals deposed him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a fresh face for Sudan. He tried to reposition himself, but that lasted only weeks.

Return to Violence

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

Hemedti has rejected that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

Pressed by international powers, the military and civil leaders reached a deal, leading to an unstable coexistence for two years.

Current Conflict

When a committee began examining military-owned companies, Burhan and Hemedti ousted the government and seized power.

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

In April 2023, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in Khartoum. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and fighting erupted across the city.

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

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including military drones, deployed against 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 formed a rival administration, the "Government of Peace and Unity", appointing himself leader.

After taking el-Fasher, the RSF now holds almost all inhabited territory in western Sudan.

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

Many believe Hemedti envisions himself as president of a breakaway state or still aims to rule all of Sudan.

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

While Hemedti's troops continue atrocities in al-Fasher, he seems assured of impunity in a world that does not care.