Sudan has appointed General Yassir al Atta, a member of the country's Sovereign Council and assistant to the Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan, chief of staff of the country's Armed Forces, a military spokesperson told Reuters on Thursday.

The move is the most significant personnel shift since the Sudanese army's war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that started three years ago, and could lead to shifts in strategy as a new front opens in the war in the southeastern Blue Nile state.

Al Atta has served in the military for more than 40 years.

Al Atta takes over the role of chief of staff from career soldier Othman al Hussein, giving him less of a political role but tighter oversight over the armed forces.