President Omar al-Bashir removed by Sudan’s military

Sudan’s military has removed Omar al-Bashir from power after 30 years as president of Sudan. The defense Minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf says the military-led transitional council will lead the country for two years.

According to the announcement made by the defense minister in a TV address, President Bashir has been arrested and put “in a safe place”

I announce as minister as minister of defense the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place”, said Ahmed Awad. The armed forces will take power with representation of the people to pave the way for Sudanese people to live in dignity”, he added.

The Defense Minister went on to declare a three-month state of emergency in addition to the military council ruling for two years of transition. He added that airspace has been closed for 24 hours.

The Army general also announced a nationwide ceasefire and the suspension of the 2005 constitution together with the dissolution of government units including the presidency, parliament, and the council of ministers.

Earlier on Thursday tens of thousands of Sudanese marched through the capital Khartoum in jubilation coupled with dancing and singing anti-Bashir slogans.

The army had communicated early on Thursday that it was going to make “an important announcement” after nearly six months of protests against Bashir’s rule.

Today was the sixth consecutive day of a defiant sit-in outside the headquarters of the military which also houses the president’s official residence and the ministry of defense

Omar al-Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and genocide took power through a coup in 1989. He has been removed after massive protests erupted in the capital Khartoum in December last year.

Initially the protests were sparked by the rise in bread prices but later on, the protesters turned against president Bashir demanding for his immediate resignation.

Demand for civilian leadership

The Sudanese Professional Association, which has been spearheading the nationwide demonstration against Bashir said that they are going to continue with the sit-ins until civilian leadership is in place.

“These people belong in sit-ins along with other demonstrators until we have a civic leadership in place in accordance with the declaration of freedom and change,” said the group on twitter.

Another group that has been also actively involved in organizing anti-government protests, Girifna resistance movement said that they will continue their demonstration until a civic leadership was in place.

“We want a four-year transition period where technocrats take over the country to ready it for democracy. We an army that will protect us rather than rule over us”, said one of the members of the group.

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