A power struggle between two rival generals has effectively split Sudan amid a 27-month civil war that has left some 150,000 people dead.

A power struggle between two rival generals has effectively split Sudan amid a 27-month civil war that has left some 150,000 people dead.

Deepening the crisis in civil war-torn Sudan, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday announced the formation of a rival civilian-led government, raising fears of permanent division in the country.

At a press conference in the RSF-controlled city of Nyala in South Darfur, the paramilitary announced a 15-member presidential council with RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, as its president.

Rebel leader Abdelaziz al-Hilu, head of the SPLM-N, was named vice president.

Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, a civilian politician, was appointed prime minister. He was a former member of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council from 2019 until the 2021 military coup.

New regional governors, including one for Darfur, were also announced. The region now has rival governors from each side.