Former UN official Kamil Idris has been named Sudan’s new prime minister, as the country’s warring factions continue to battle for control amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Sudan’s army chief and de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has appointed former United Nations official Kamil Idris as the country’s new prime minister, offering a potential turning point more than two years into a devastating conflict.

Idris, a seasoned diplomat and former presidential contender, previously led the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization. He also represented Sudan at the UN through its permanent mission, bringing a wealth of international experience to his new role.

A statement from the country’s ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council confirmed the appointment, reading: “The chairman of the Sovereignty Council issued a constitutional decree appointing Kamil El-Tayeb Idris Abdelhafiz as Prime Minister”.

Idris is no stranger to Sudanese politics. In 2010, he stood in the presidential election against long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir, a figure synonymous with decades of Islamist-military dominance.

Idris takes over from veteran diplomat Dafallah al-Haj Ali, who served as acting prime minister for less than three weeks after being appointed in late April.

Burhan had earlier pledged to establish a technocratic wartime government to “complete what remains of our military objectives, which is liberating Sudan from these rebels.”.

In a counter-move, the RSF announced plans to form its own government in April, shortly after signing a charter in Kenya with a coalition of military and political allies.

The announcement has fuelled concerns among international observers that Sudan could face permanent fragmentation.

The country is already effectively split: the army controls the north, east and central regions, while the RSF and its partners hold sway over most of Darfur and parts of the south.