On Tuesday, February 18, all eyes were on the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) as Sudanese nationals linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) gathered to sign the Sudan Founding Charter, a political agreement designed to create a parallel civilian government.
The RSF is a paramilitary group in Sudan, originally formed in 2013, made of several militia factions, including the notorious Janjaweed militia, which had been involved in the Darfur conflict.
Initially formed to combat rebels in the Darfur region, it took over from Janjaweed which had been accused of committing serious human rights violations and has risen to become the most powerful and controversial forces in Sudan due to its large size, military capability, and control.
The movement is led by General Hamdan Mohamed Dagalo, widely known as ‘Hemedti’ or “Little Mohamed,”. The military leader has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful figures in Sudan’s political and military landscape.
Born around 1974 in Darfur, Hemedti comes from the Mahariya tribe of the Rizeigat community, a group deeply involved in camel trading. With limited formal education—having dropped out of school at a young age —he started his career as a camel trader.
Hemedti’s rise to power began in his youth when his trade convoy was attacked, resulting in the death of 60 of his family members and the theft of his camels. In response, he joined the Janjaweed, an Arab militia group that played a significant role in the Darfur conflict, which escalated in the early 2000s.
Hemedti rose through the ranks during the Darfur conflict, becoming a key ally of Sudan’s former dictator, Omar al-Bashir. His leadership in crushing opposition led to his appointment as commander of the Janjaweed, and later, as the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group formed in 2013.
Dagalo rose to the rank of lieutenant general, gaining significant autonomy, which allowed him to seize control of lucrative gold mines in Darfur that belonged to a rival tribal leader. This move greatly expanded his wealth. Under his leadership, the RSF quickly became one of the most dominant and feared military factions in Sudan.
Despite his close ties with al-Bashir, Hemedti turned on him during the 2019 Sudanese uprising, which led to al-Bashir’s overthrow. He positioned himself as a key figure in the transitional government that followed, holding the title of deputy head of the Transitional Military Council.
He would later become part of the Sovereignty Council, a power-sharing arrangement between military and civilian leaders, meant to guide Sudan towards civilian rule.
During the uprising however, his forces faced accusations of committing atrocities, including the massacre of over 100 protesters, which further tarnished his reputation for ruthlessly cracking down on opposition, although he denied any role in the events.
In 2021, under Hemedti’s leadership, the RSF staged a coup that further destabilized Sudan’s already fragile political system, overthrowing the civilian-military government that had been established in 2019. This sparked widespread violence between the Sudanese army and the RSF, pushing the country to the brink of civil war.
His influence has attracted global criticism, as his forces have been involved in numerous human rights violations like killings, rape and torture. Despite his political maneuvering, he has faced sanctions from the United States, which have further complicated his international relations.
Despite al-Bashir and other officials facing ICC charges for genocide, Dagalo has not been charged, despite accusations of war crimes by his forces over the past decade.
Kenya hence finds itself in a challenging position. While President William Ruto supports Sudan’s internationally recognized government, Kenya’s involvement with the RSF undermines its diplomatic relations. The RSF’s establishment of a parallel government in Nairobi only worsens the complexity of Kenya’s stance.
