RSF's rise to military-economic power in Sudan
Source: economist.com
TL;DR
- RSF Expansion: Three years into Sudan's civil war, the Rapid Support Forces captured Kurmuk in March after heavy fighting.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/04/22/how-a-sudanese-militia-built-a-military-and-economic-empire)[[2]](https://sudantribune.com/article/312054)
- Gold Revenue: RSF controls gold mines through family firm Al-Junaid, generating hundreds of millions yearly for weapons and operations.[[3]](https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/warlords-portfolio-mapping-the-rsf-economy-from-darfur-to-dubai)[[4]](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1514)
- Regional Power: Economic control over gold, trade, and ports has turned RSF into a self-sustaining force with UAE ties.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/04/22/how-a-sudanese-militia-built-a-military-and-economic-empire)
The story at a glance
The article examines how Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), evolved from a militia into a military-economic powerhouse amid the three-year civil war against the Sudanese Armed Forces. It highlights their March capture of Kurmuk on the Ethiopia border and control of gold mines via family companies like Al-Junaid. Reported now as RSF consolidates gains in Blue Nile, extending the war despite army advances elsewhere like Khartoum.
Key points
- RSF seized Kurmuk after days of heavy fighting, partnering with SPLM-N rebels and allegedly using Ethiopian border bases.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/04/22/how-a-sudanese-militia-built-a-military-and-economic-empire)[[2]](https://sudantribune.com/article/312054)
- RSF derives $1-2 billion annually from gold mining in Darfur (e.g., Songo, Jebel Amer), narcotics, livestock, agriculture plunder, and checkpoints.[[3]](https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/warlords-portfolio-mapping-the-rsf-economy-from-darfur-to-dubai)
- Al-Junaid Multi Activities Co Ltd, controlled by Hemedti and brother Abdulrahim Dagalo, runs 11 subsidiaries in gold, construction, transport, and more.[[4]](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1514)
- UAE reportedly supplies drones and arms to RSF, which smuggles gold to Dubai; RSF eyes ports like Bosaso in Somalia.[[5]](https://noria-research.com/mena/black-gold-liquid-metal-the-political-economy-of-gold-in-sudan)
- RSF roots trace to Janjaweed militias; now a hybrid paramilitary-business entity accused of atrocities including genocide in Darfur.[[6]](https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/05/31/what-next-for-sudans-most-notorious-rebel-leader-known-as-hemedti)
Details and context
Sudan's civil war, now three years old since April 2023 clashes between RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), stems partly from rivalry over economic control after both integrated into the post-Bashir regime. RSF, formalized from Darfur's Janjaweed in 2013, gained autonomy via gold concessions like Jebel Amer in 2017, funding expansion without full state reliance.
Hemedti's family firms like Al-Junaid dominate RSF areas' artisanal gold (Sudan's top export, 70-90 tonnes yearly), with output smuggled via Chad or flown to UAE hubs. This finances UAE-sourced weapons, prolonging stalemate despite SAF retaking Khartoum in 2025.
RSF's model blends ethnic militias, foreign mercenaries, and commerce, securing routes to ports for export. Kurmuk's fall opens southern fronts, taxing SAF resources amid famine and 12 million displaced.
Key quotes
None reliably sourced from the article.
Why it matters
RSF's economic self-sufficiency via gold and trade prolongs Sudan's war, the world's largest humanitarian crisis with famine and genocide allegations. Investors and firms face risks from sanctioned networks like Al-Junaid, while regional states like UAE, Egypt back proxies for resource access. Watch RSF advances in Blue Nile or peace talks, though lucrative war economy makes ceasefires uncertain.
What changed
Omit: No explicit before/after in visible article.
FAQ
Q: How did RSF build its economic empire?
A: Through family companies like Al-Junaid, which controls gold mines in Darfur such as Songo and Jebel Amer, plus subsidiaries in construction, transport, and livestock. Revenues estimated at $860 million from Darfur gold in 2024 fund arms purchases. Gold is smuggled to UAE for refinement and sale.[[3]](https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/warlords-portfolio-mapping-the-rsf-economy-from-darfur-to-dubai)
Q: What role does gold play in RSF operations?
A: Gold from RSF areas provides primary funding, with Al-Junaid processing tailings and artisanal output into cash for drones, vehicles, and fighters. UN estimates 10 tonnes ($860 million) extracted in RSF zones in 2024. This bypasses state budgets, enabling independence from SAF.
Q: Why did RSF capture Kurmuk?
A: To secure border supply lines from Ethiopia bases, partnering with SPLM-N after heavy fighting in March. The town controls trade routes in Blue Nile, stretching SAF thin. Sudanese officials allege Ethiopian logistical aid.
Q: What are RSF's foreign ties?
A: UAE accused of arming RSF with drones and buying its gold; links to Bosaso port in Somalia for logistics. Earlier mercenary deals in Yemen built initial wealth.