🔗 Share this article {From Camel Trader to Warlord: The Rise of a Man Who Now Commands Fifty Percent of Sudan Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, once earned his living trading camels and gold. Today, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces control around 50% of Sudan. Consolidating Control in Darfur Hemedti's forces scored a major victory by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the final army garrison in the western region. Feared and despised by his opponents, Hemedti is admired by his followers for his ruthlessness and his promise to overthrow the discredited state. Modest Origins His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya clan of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arabic-speaking group that straddles the Chad-Sudan border region. His birth year is approximately 1975, like many from rural areas, his exact birth details were never recorded. Guided by his uncle Juma, his family relocated to Darfur in the 1970s and 80s, fleeing conflict and in search of greener pastures. Early Career After leaving school in his adolescence, Hemedti began earning by dealing in livestock across the desert to Libya and Egypt. During that period, Darfur was a lawless frontier—poor, ignored by the government of then-President Bashir. Local armed groups known as the Janjaweed raided villages of the native Fur communities, triggering a full-scale rebellion in 2003. Rise Through Violence In response, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to spearhead his anti-rebel campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for widespread atrocities. Hemedti's unit was part of this, accused in attacking the village of Adwah in November 2004, claiming the lives of 126 people, including 36 children. International inquiries determined that the Janjaweed were guilty of crimes against humanity. Calculated Moves In the years following the height of violence in 2004, Hemedti skillfully navigated his rise to become leader of a powerful paramilitary force, a corporate empire, and a political organization. He briefly mutinied, demanding unpaid salaries for his soldiers, promotions, and a political position for his brother. Bashir acceded to most of his demands. Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti commanded loyalist troops that crushed them, taking over Darfur's biggest gold mining site at Jebel Amir. Rapidly, his business venture Al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan. Formalizing Power By 2013, Hemedti requested and obtained official recognition as commander of the newly formed Rapid Support Forces, reporting directly to Bashir. The Janjaweed were integrated into the RSF, getting modern equipment and training. Regional Ambitions Hemedti's forces engaged in the Darfur conflict, struggled in the Nuba Mountains, and took on a role to police the border with Libya. Ostensibly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's officers also excelled at extortion and people-trafficking. In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE 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 signing bonuses of up to six thousand dollars. Hemedti formed an alliance with the Russian Wagner organization, gaining expertise in exchange for business arrangements, including in gold. He visited Moscow coincided with the day of the invasion of Ukraine. Political Betrayal With rising demonstrations, Bashir ordered Hemedti's units to the city of Khartoum, nicknaming him himayti. It was a miscalculation. In April 2019, when protesters called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the military leaders deposed him. For a time, Hemedti was celebrated as a new leader for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but this was short-lived. Return to Violence When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which committed massacres, assaulted females, and reportedly drowned men in the River Nile. Hemedti has denied that the RSF committed atrocities. Under foreign pressure, the military and civil leaders agreed to a compromise, leading to an uneasy partnership for several years. Ongoing War As an investigation started looking into military-owned companies, the two generals ousted the government and took control. But they fell out. Burhan demanded the RSF come under army command. Hemedti refused. Last year, RSF units moved to surround key bases in Khartoum. The takeover effort was unsuccessful, and violence broke out 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 US describing 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 formed a rival administration, the so-called unity government, taking the chairmanship. With the capture of al-Fasher, the RSF now holds almost all inhabited territory west of the Nile. Following reports of atrocities, Hemedti declared an investigation into violations committed by his soldiers. Many believe Hemedti envisions himself as president of a breakaway state or still aims to control the entire country. It's also possible, 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 al-Fasher, he seems assured of avoiding consequences in a world that does not care.