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Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

Sudanese paramilitary led by Hemedti; US determined it committed genocide in Darfur (2025)

Military· Sudan · in the record since Jan 2025
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The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is a Sudanese paramilitary force formally created in August 2013 from the Janjaweed militias used by the Sudanese government in the Darfur war, and led since then by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. Since 15 April 2023 it has fought the Sudanese Armed Forces for control of Sudan, and it captured El Fasher in October 2025. On January 7, 2025 the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Hemedti, and the Secretary of State determined that the RSF had committed genocide in Darfur. The UN Human Rights Office reported in December 2025 that RSF fighters killed more than 1,000 civilians in a three-day attack on Zamzam camp in April 2025, and Amnesty International (July 2026) and a UN fact-finding mission (July 2026) have accused the RSF of mass killings, sexual violence and, in the UN mission's words, clear indicators of genocide in El Fasher.

Connections · 7

● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported

All 7Ownership 1Supplies & exports 2Roles 1Figures 3

● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported

Ownership

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The Janjaweed later evolved into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has fought Sudan's army since 2023.
Janjaweed militia (forces under Ali Kushayb's command, Wadi Salih and Mukjar sector, West Darfur)
1 source
  • NPRThe Janjaweed later evolved into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since 2023.

Supplies & exports

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U.S. Treasury says UAE-based Capital Tap Holding L.L.C., owned by Sudanese national Abu Dharr Abdul Nabi Habiballa Ahmmed, provided the RSF with money and military equipment; it was sanctioned with six affiliated UAE firms.
Capital Tap Holding L.L.C.Affiliates include gold buyer Al Zumoroud and Al Yaqoot Gold & Jewellers, which Treasury says bought Sudanese gold and moved it to Dubai.
1 source
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Amnesty International accuses the UAE of re-exporting Chinese GB50A guided bombs and AH-4 howitzers to Sudan's RSF in breach of the UN arms embargo.
Government of the United Arab EmiratesAllegation; UAE denies. [oldresearch-0: wording corrected to match stored source]
1 source
  • Amnesty InternationalSophisticated Chinese weaponry, re-exported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been captured in Khartoum, as well as used in Darfur in a blatant breach of the existing UN arms embargo, Amnesty International said following a new investigation.

Roles

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RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ('Hemedti') was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury on January 7, 2025 for his leadership of the RSF.
2013 to presentMohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemedti")Treasury spells the name Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa. His brother Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo is deputy head.
2 sources

Figures

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On January 7, 2025 the U.S. Secretary of State determined that the RSF has perpetrated genocide in Darfur.
1 source
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The Sentry reports that enablers set up at least four Dubai-based gold and precious-metal trading companies within a business network linked to the RSF leader and his family.
review-facts-c: source says at least four, linked network
1 source
  • The SentryDocumentfour Dubai-based gold and precious-metal trading companies set up by named enablers
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The RSF had more than 100,000 personnel as of 2023, according to Reuters.
2023Lower bound estimate.
1 source

Topics

Abuse of power & retaliation9Oversight & ethics enforcement8Public safety & negligence4Courts & justice3Physical & psychological abuse3Discrimination & civil rights2Sexual abuse & harassment2Health & social services1Misused public funds1