Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has been removed by the military after months of anti-government protests against his three-decade rule.
A military council led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is now in power and says it will oversee a transitional period that will last a maximum of two years.
Demonstrators, however, are demanding that the country’s military ruler immediately hand over power to a civilian-led government.
Here are all the latest updates:
Friday, April 19, 2019:
Protesters to unveil civilian ruling body
Sudanese protest leaders have announced plans to unveil a civilian body to take over from the ruling military council as demonstrators thronged outside army headquarters.
The Sudanese Professionals Association, which has been spearheading the protests, said in a statement that it would name members of the council at a news conference at 1700 GMT on Sunday outside the army complex, to which foreign diplomats are also invited.
“We are demanding that this civilian council, which will have representatives of the army, replace the military council,” Ahmed al-Rabia, a leader of the umbrella group of unions for doctors, engineers and teachers, told AFP.
Thursday, April 18, 2019:
US ‘encouraged’ in Sudan, urges greater transition
The United States praised orders by Sudan’s new military leader to free political prisoners and end a night curfew but urged more action to transition to democracy.
Morgan Ortagus, spokeswoman for the State Department, said the US will “calibrate our policies based on our assessment of events” but added that talks on delisting Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism remained suspended.
“We are encouraged by the decision to release political prisoners and cancel the curfew in Khartoum,” Ortagus said, urging the military council and other armed units to “show restraint, avoid conflict and remain committed to the protection of the Sudanese people”.
Protesters keep up pressure on Sudan’s military
Tens of thousands of protesters staged rallies in cities across Sudan to mark one week since the military’s removal of al-Bashir.
Engineers marched in Blue Nile state while lawyers rallied in North Kordofan state, demanding the military hand over power to a civilian administration, while tens of thousands, chanting “power to civilians” converged on the square outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.
Every road leading to the protest site was full of people, according to witnesses. Protesters chanted “Freedom and revolution are the choice of the people” as well as “freedom, peace and justice”.
‘Victory is coming’: Blueprint for Sudan transition released
Sudan’s protest organisers have released a blueprint for the transfer of power from the military to a civilian government. It envisages a civilian presidential council made up of “revolutionary figures” and a defence minister, the only representative from the military.
It also proposes the formation of a cabinet of technocrats to run daily affairs of the state and a legislative council, with 40 percent women’s representation, to draft laws and oversee the cabinet until a new constitution is written.
“We have to continue our sit-ins until a transitional civilian authority takes over,” the document said. “We have faith that our people’s victory is coming and that no power can stop our people from achieving all their goals.”
Wednesday, April 17, 2019:
Two of al-Bashir’s brothers arrested
A spokesman for Sudan’s military council said two brothers of al-Bashir have been arrested as part of a continuing campaign of arrests against “symbols of previous regime”.
Shams Eldin Kabashi also said that irregular forces linked to al-Bashir’s former ruling party have been brought under the army or police control.
UN envoy: Al-Bashir’s removal sparks violence in Darfur
Jeremiah Mamabolo, the joint UN-African Union envoy, in Darfur said the military’s removal of al-Bashir has sparked violence in the western region, including in Kalma displacement camp where clashes between youth groups on April 13 led to the reported death of 15 people.
Protesters and people displaced by the fighting in Darfur “have been engaged in violent acts, including arson on premises of National Intelligence and Security Services and the ruling party, as well as houses of community leaders perceived to have collaborated with the previous regime,” he told the UN Security Council.
South Sudan offers to mediate political transition in Sudan
South Sudan, which won independence from Sudan in 2011 following decades of bloody conflict, has offered to help mediate a political transition in Khartoum.
Salva Kirr, the president of South Sudan, said he was ready to support the Sudanese people’s “democratic aspirations” and “offered to mediate the ongoing negotiations among various groups in Sudan with the hope that the new transition will usher in a new day in Sudan,” according to a statement by his office.
The move came seven months after al-Bashir helped broker a shaky peace deal between Kiir and the main opposition rebel group in South Sudan.
Sudan rebels suspend hostilities in Blue Nile, South Kordofan
The leader of Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) ordered a three-month suspension of hostilities in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states as a “goodwill gesture” after al-Bashir’s overthrow.
In a statement, Abdulaziz al-Hilu said he was “suspending” hostilities in all areas under its control until July 31 “as a goodwill gesture… to give a chance for an immediate transfer of power to civilians”.
The SPLM-N splintered from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement that fought for South Sudan’s independence, achieved in 2011, and continued to fight government troops, seeking autonomy in the two southern states that remained in Sudan.
‘Our revolution could be stolen’: Doctors, journalists march in Khartoum
Hundreds of doctors and health workers in their white coats marched from Khartoum’s main hospital towards the sit-in outside the army headquarters, carrying banners and chanting: “freedom, peace, justice”.
Thousands of protesters remained at the protest site demanding Sudan’s military council hand over power to a civilian-led administration.
“We faced tear gas, many of us were jailed. We have been shot and many have died. All this because we said what we wanted to,” protester Fadia Khalaf told AFP. “Now we fear that our revolution could be stolen, which is why we are keeping our ground here. We are staying here until our demands are met.”
Journalists held a separate rally, calling for press freedom and holding signs demanding state media be run by “independent, professional journalists”.
Al-Bashir ‘moved to Khartoum’s Kobar prison’
Sudan’s deposed President Omar al-Bashir has been moved to Kobar prison in Khartoum from the presidential palace, according to sources.
A former minister told the Associated Press news agency that al-Bashir had remained “under house arrest” at the presidential palace and was moved to the Kobar prison late on Tuesday.
A prison guard confirmed the move to Al Jazeera. “A group of vehicles came late night on Tuesday … I saw president Omar al-Bashir being brought in with dozens of army officers,” the guard said.
There was no official comment on al-Bashir’s whereabouts.
Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall, reporting from Khartoum, added: “We know that arrests are going on, a number of al-Bashir’s senior aides have been arrested. There is no official list, no names have been announced yet.”
Tuesday, April 16, 2019:
Uganda would ‘consider’ granting al-Bashir asylum
A Ugandan official said his government would consider granting asylum to al-Bashir because of his role in mediating a peace deal in neighbouring South Sudan.
“If Uganda is approached to grant asylum to Bashir it is an issue that can be considered at the highest level of our leadership,” Henry Okello Oryem, state minister for foreign affairs, told AFP news agency.
Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and war crimes relating to the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Egypt’s Sisi offers support to military rulers
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s transitional military council, Abdel Fattah to offer his backing.
Sisi affirmed “Egypt’s full support for the security and stability of Sudan and its support for the will and choices of the Sudanese people”, a spokesman for the Egyptian president said in a statement.
Report: US to mull Sudan terror list removal after changes
The United States would consider removing Sudan “from the list of state sponsors of terrorism if there is significant change in the country and a smooth transition”, a senior State Department official told Reuters news agency.
Washington was in the process of discussions on removing it from the US terror list when the military intervened to remove al-Bashir.
The US administration suspended the next round of the talks, scheduled for the end of April, after the military said it would enter a two-year period of military rule to be followed by presidential elections.
“It is important that the will of the people are respected, and that Sudanese people be allowed a peaceful transition,” the official added.
Military council takes aim at al-Bashir era officials
Sudan’s military council has dismissed the country’s public prosecutor and the head of the state-run radio and television broadcasters, according to a statement.
Sid Ahmed Mahmoud replaced Omar Ahmed Mohamed Abdel Salam as the top prosecutor, the council said. It also named Murtada Abdullah Waraq as the new governor of Khartoum state, and Yahiya Altybe Abu Shora as the head of the judiciary.
Russia recognises Sudan’s military council
Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Moscow recognised Sudan’s transitional military council, according to the RIA news agency.
Mikhail Bogdanov, responding to a question on whether Russia recognised the new authorities in Sudan and maintained contact with them, said: “Yes, of course.”
Monday, April 15, 2019:
‘Revolution’ at threat from old establishment: SPA
Sudan’s main protest group renews its call for the creation of a civilian-led government to replace the country’s new ruling military council.
“The objectives of the revolution can not be achieved totally and completely in the face of the backstage manipulations by the remnants of the regime,” Taha Osman, a member of the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), tells reporters at a press conference in Khartoum.
“The key demand is the formation of a civil council to guarantee that the revolution is safeguarded and all the goals are achieved,” Osman says.
African Union threatens to suspend Sudan over coup
The African Union (AU) calls on Sudan’s military to hand over power to a civilian government within 15 days, warning the country’s membership in the bloc will be automatically suspended if it fails to do so.
Sudan must also aim to hold “free, fair and transparent elections” as soon as possible, the AU’s Peace and Security Council says in a statement.
“A military-led transition would be completely contrary to the aspirations of the people of Sudan,” the AU council adds.
Merkel backs opposition’s demands
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Berlin supports the Sudanese protesters’ demand for the military government to hand power over to a civilian administration.
Speaking prior to a meeting with the head of the UN’s refugee agency, Merkel also expresses concern about the human rights situation in both Sudan and Libya while calling for an improved approach to the factors that force people to migrate.
SPA calls on protesters to ‘protect revolution’
The SPA, the umbrella group at the forefront of the protests, calls on its supporters to “protect your revolution” after armed forces loyal to the military council unsuccessfully try to remove roadblocks put in place around the sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.
A statement by the group also urges protesters to continue the now more than week-long demonstration outside the sprawling complex and “stop attempts to disperse” those rallying.
Sudan protest group: Attempt under way to break up sit-in
The SPA says an attempt is under way to break up the sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.
It urges people to continue staging protests, according to a statement published on its social media pages.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s military council says it is restructuring the council and appoints Colonel General Hashem Abdel Muttalib Ahmed Babakr as army chief of staff.
Colonel General Mohamed Othman al-Hussein is appointed as deputy chief of staff, the council says in a statement.
Sunday, April 14, 2019:
Sudan military council to reform intelligence service
A spokesman for the military council made key concession to protesters by vowing to restructure the feared National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).
He told reporters in Khartoum that Lieutenant General Abu Bakr Mustafa was appointed to lead the intelligence agency, and added that Ibn Auf, the former head of the military council, was retired as defence minister.
Military calls for consensus on ‘independent’ PM
The military council wants to hold on to the interior and defence ministries in any transitional government, one of its members said, adding that political parties could decide on a civilian prime minister.
“We, your brothers in the armed forces, are asking you to support us with your initiatives to brave through the transitional period,” General Yasir Atta told a press conference in Khartoum.
“We need and hope all of you within a short span of time come to a consensus and agreement upon one figure, a patriotic independent person, to lead the government.”
Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from the capital, said: “[Atta] said the military council only wants two positions, the defence and interior ministries. That’s because, in his words, they want to maintain order and security in the country.”
Protest organisers to present names for transition
The political parties and movements behind anti-government protests in Sudan were expected to meet the military council to present names for a civilian led-transitional administration, according to a spokesman.
Satia Alhaj, spokesman for the National Consensus Forces, told Al Jazeera the meeting would take place at the army headquarters in Khartoum later on Saturday. He did not give additional details.
Sudan calls for global support for military rulers
The Sudanese foreign ministry urged the international community to back the country’s new military council to help facilitate a “democratic transition”.
“The ministry of foreign affairs is looking forward to the international community to understand the situation and to support the transitional military council … in order to achieve the Sudanese goal of democratic transition,” the ministry said in a statement.
Al-Burhan is “committed to having a complete civilian government and the role of the council will be to maintain the sovereignty of the country,” the ministry said, adding that he aimed to prepare an environment for political parties and civil society to build themselves up “in order to have a peaceful transition of power”.
Amnesty urges Sudan to investigate Gosh’s role in protest killings
Amnesty International called on Sudan’s new authorities to investigate the role of Salah Gosh, who recently resigned as the head of the country’s intelligence service, in the “killings of scores of Sudanese protesters”.
“Resignation from power must not mean an escape from accountability for serious human rights violations,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for East Africa.
Saturday, April 13, 2019:
RSF commander appointed deputy head of military council
General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known by his nickname Hemeti, was appointed deputy leader of the ruling military council, according to Sudanese state television.
Footage showed Hemeti, who commands the paramilitary unit Rapid Support Forces (RSF), being sworn in.
Protest leaders deliver demands to military council
Omar Eldigair, head of a 10-member delegation representing anti-government protesters, said the group “delivered our demands to the military council”, including the formation of a civilian-led transitional government.
Speaking outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, he said the delegation called for the release of some 47 students of Darfuri origin who were arrested in December as well as reform of the security services.
Al-Bashir’s party urges release of leaders
The National Congress Party urged the ruling military council to release its acting president and other key members.
“We consider the military council’s power grab a violation of constitutional law,” the party said in a statement.
“The NCP rejects the detention of its leaders, among them its acting president and a large number of prominent members, and calls for their immediate release.”
Protest organisers meet military council
A 10-member delegation representing groups behind the months-long anti-government demonstrations held talks with Sudan’s military council at the army headquarters in Khartoum.
The meeting came as the new head of the council called for dialogue and vowed that a transitional period would last a maximum of two years.
Al-Burhan vows to ‘uproot regime and its symbols’
The new head of the military council said those involved in the killing of protesters will face justice and ordered the release of prisoners jailed under emergency laws.
“I announce the restructuring of state institutions according to the law and pledge to fight corruption and uproot the regime and its symbols,” al-Burhan added in his first televised address to the nation.
Council calls for talks, vows two-year transition
Sudan’s military council said a civilian government will be formed after a transitional period that will last for a maximum of two years.
In his speech to the nation, al-Burhan said: “I invite all the people of Sudan, including political parties and civil society groups, to engage in dialogue.”
The council’s new head added: “A military council will be formed to represent the state until an interim government is formed. The interim military council commits to the following: A two-year transitional period during which, or at the end of which, power will be handed over to a civilian government formed by the people.”
Military council lifts curfew
The new leader of Sudan’s military transitional council announced the lifting of the curfew imposed by his predecessors.
Addressing the protesters, al-Burhan said: “In order to provide an atmosphere for your design to establish a state, we declare that the curfew is lifted, all detained or sentenced under martial law will be immediately released.”
Military council: Intelligence chief has resigned
The head of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service, Salah Gosh, has resigned from his post, the country’s new military rulers said on Saturday.
“The chief of the transitional military council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has accepted the resignation of… the chief of NISS,” the transitional military council said.
Gosh had overseen a sweeping crackdown led by NISS agents against protesters taking part in four months of mass demonstrations that led to the toppling of President al-Bashir by the army on Thursday.
Sudan police: 16 killed by stray bullets at protests and sit-ins
At least 16 people were killed and 20 others injured by stray bullets at protests and sit-ins on Thursday and Friday, a Sudanese police spokesman said in a statement on Saturday as the nation waited to hear from its newly appointed leader.
Government buildings and private property were also attacked, spokesman Hashem Ali added.
Friday, April 12, 2019:
SPA welcomes Ibn Auf’s resignation
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which spearheaded the months-long demonstrations that triggered al-Bashir’s overthrow, praised Ibn Auf’s departure as a “triumph of the will of the masses”.
The group also called on people to continue a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital and take to the streets outside the military’s “various garrisons” elsewhere throughout the country.
Meanwhile, protesters in Khartoum told Al Jazeera the toppling of al-Bashir and resignation of Ibn Auf within 36 hours was the result of “patience, sacrifices and struggle for four months”.
“We now want to witness the power being handed over to the civilians, this is the… democracy and freedom we aimed to achieve,” Abdul Jabar Ibrahim, 60, said.
Ibn Auf quits as head of transitional military council
General Awad Ibn Auf announced he was stepping down as head of the ruling military council.
“I, the head of the military council, announce I am giving up the post,” Ibn Auf said in a speech broadcast live on state television, adding that he took the decision to preserve the unity of the armed forces.
Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan would head the transitional council, he said..
No action after UN Security Council briefing on Sudan
Christoph Heusgen, president of the UN Security Council, said members agreed to monitor the situation in Sudan following a closed-door briefing.
While the 15-member body did not announce any action on Sudan, Heusgen, who is also Germany’s ambassador to the UN, told reporters the body sees the meeting “as a strong signal that the Security Council is dealing with the issue”.
Military council asks ‘all political forces’ to name delegates for talks
Sudan’s military council asked all “political forces” in the country to name two representatives by Saturday for a dialogue on the country’s transition.
The council said a time for the meeting would be set once it received the names from all groups, according to SUNA news agency.
Sudan envoy: Transition to civilian rule could be shortened
Sudan’s envoy to the UN said that a two-year transition period to civilian rule could be shortened “depending on developments on the ground and agreements between stakeholders”.
“The [military] council will be the guarantor of a civilian government to be formed in collaboration with political forces and stakeholders,” said Yasir Abdelsalam, Sudan’s charge d’affaires.
“No party will be excluded,” he added.
Huge rallies in Khartoum as protesters call on Ibn Auf to quit
Tens of thousands of protesters rallied outside the army headquarters in the capital, calling for the military council to immediately hand over power to a civilian-led transitional government.
Protesters said they would not leave the rally until Ibn Auf stepped down.
“What is happening now is a big trick; this is the same regime of al-Bashir and so they want to cheat us in order to maintain the interests of the ruling party seniors, the security organs and the entire regime symbols,” protester Mohamed al-Zain told Al Jazeera.
Military declaration ‘not selling’
Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said the military council’s declaration did not seem to be “selling with the thousands of people who are out on the streets” protesting.
“This is not what they have been asking for,” Morgan said, adding that protesters want a handover of power to an “interim, independent civilian government”.
‘We will resist”: SPA rejects military assurances
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) dismissed the ruling military council’s claim it had no ambitions to hold on to power in Sudan.
Denouncing the military statement as a “farce”, the SPA called for an immediate handover of power to a civilian transitional government.
“Our demands are clear, fair and legitimate, but the new regime’s old-fashioned coupists are not ready to make change,” it said. “We will resist the emergency, curfew and all the actions announced by the coupists.”
Paramilitary force calls for dialogue with protesters
The commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Force (RSF), a paramilitary group, said it would not “accept any solutions rejected by the Sudanese people” and called for the country’s military to start “opening the door for dialogue” with protesters.
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemeti, said in a statement that talks are needed to prevent Sudan from “slipping into chaos”.
The RSF is made up of Arab militias that fought on the side of government forces against rebels in Sudan’s western region of Darfur in the initial years of the conflict.
UN rights chief urges military to refrain from force against protesters
Michelle Bachelet, UN high commissioner for human rights, said she is “closely monitoring developments” in Sudan and called on authorities in the country to “refrain from using force against peaceful protesters”.
Bachelet also urged authorities to release all those detained for “their exercise of the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression” while protesting.
Germany calls for ‘peaceful solution’ in Sudan
Germany’s foreign ministry called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Sudan following al-Bashir’s removal.
“We are calling on all sides to exercise restraint, as we need a peaceful solution to the crisis, which fulfils the expectation of the Sudanese people for a political change,” said Christofer Burger, deputy spokesman for the German foreign ministry.
Sudan will ‘not’ extradite al-Bashir to ICC
Omar Zein al-Abideen, member of the military council, said Sudan would not extradite al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face trial on charges of genocide, but that he would instead be tried and judged in Sudan.
Al-Bashir, who is sought by the ICC for war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region, is currently being held in an undisclosed prison, he added.
Sudan military council says it has no ambition to stay in power
The head of Sudan’s provisional military political council said the army has “no ambition to hold the reins of power”, stressing “we are ready to step down as early as a month if a government is formed”.
Addressing a news conference in the capital, Khartoum, Omar Zein al-Abideen says that the two-year transition period can be as short as one month if managed “without chaos”.
Thursday, April 11, 2019:
SPA urges ‘revolutionaries’ to keep defying curfew
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), one of the groups at the forefront of the demonstrations, called on “all the revolutionaries” to continue their sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.
According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, an SPA affiliate, 35 people had been killed since the sit-in started on April 6.
Opposition leader: We will continue until end
Omer Eldigair, leader of the Sudanese Congress party, rejected the military’s statement.
“We will not accept half victory. We need the whole and complete victory as anticipated and wanted by our martyrs. Thus, the Declaration for Freedom and Change decided to continue the sit-in in front of the General Command’s headquarters,” he said in Khartoum.
“The citizens will also continue to take to the streets and be available in all squares here in the capital and everywhere nationwide. Don’t be scared and don’t retreat as we will continue our path until the end.”
Protesters in Khartoum defy military curfew
Thousands of demonstrators in Sudan’s capital remained outside the army headquarters in defiance of a curfew (10pm-4am) announced earlier by the military.
Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said: “People are still in front of the army headquarters although an announcement has been made… by the interim military council… that the curfew has effectively been put in place and people should leave the army headquarters and go back to their homes.”
Protesters chanted their slogan, “peace! justice! freedom!” as they continued their sit-in for a sixth consecutive night, according to AFP news agency.
Here are 10 iconic pictures from Sudan’s popular protests.
Ibn Auf sworn in as chief of new military council
Sudan’s state television announced that Ibn Auf had been sworn in as chief of the new military council that replaced al-Bashir.
Lieutenant General Kamal Abdel Marouf was appointed as his deputy. Footage showed both men taking the oath in the presence of the chief of the country’s judiciary.
EU urges Sudan army to carry out ‘swift’ handover to civilian rule
Federica Mogherini, EU diplomatic chief, urged Sudan’s army to quickly hand over power to a civilian government.
“Only a credible and inclusive political process can meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people and lead to the political and economic reforms the country needs,” Mogherini said in a statement.
“That can only be achieved through a swift handover to a civilian transitional government,” she added.
US: Sudanese people should be allowed peaceful transition
The US said it supports a peaceful and democratic Sudan and believes the Sudanese people should be allowed a peaceful transition sooner than two years from now.
“The Sudanese people should determine who leads them in their future,” said Robert Palladino, spokesman for the Department of State. “The Sudanese people have been clear that they have been demanding a civilian-led transition. They should be allowed to do so sooner than two years from now.”
Sudan military seizes power from al-Bashir: Full statement
Read the English translation of the Arabic statement delivered by Ibn Auf’s on al-Bashir’s overthrow and arrest here.
Awad Ibn Auf, the face of the Sudan coup
It was the man named by al-Bashir as his deputy just six weeks ago who broke the news to the Sudanese people of the long-time ruler’s removal.
Dressed in army fatigues, General Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf declared on Thursday that the 75-year-old had been overthrown and arrested following months of nationwide protests against his three-decade rule.
Sudan army ‘to enforce’ night-time curfew
Sudan’s army warned it would enforce a night-time curfew, state media reported, as protesters vowed to continue demonstrating against a military council set up after al-Bashir’s removal.
The curfew was to run “from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am, and all must adhere to it for their own safety,” the army said in a statement carried by the official SUNA news agency. It added it was “doing its duty to keep them [Sudanese people] and their properties secure”.
the struggle continues… #thawra#Sudanpic.twitter.com/zJ91Xqsew5— Alaa Salah (@iAlaaSalah) April 11, 2019
Turkey urges ‘reconciliation’ as UK calls for ‘real change’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hopes Sudan can overcome its upheaval peacefully through “national conciliation” and urged it to try to operate “a normal democratic process”.
“My greatest hope is that Sudan overcomes this process through national conciliation and peacefully,” he said in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Separately, Jeremy Hunt, Britain’s foreign secretary, said two years of potential military rule in Sudan was “not the answer” for “real change” in the country.
UN chief urges democratic transition in Sudan
Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, called for an inclusive transition in Sudan that would meet the “democratic aspirations” of the country’s people.
He also urged “calm and restraint by all” in Sudan.
Meanwhile, the US and five European countries called for a closed-door UN Security Council meeting on Sudan on Friday.
AU: Army takeover ‘not appropriate response’
The African Union called for calm and restraint and said it was closely monitoring events after al-Bashir’s removal by Sudan’s armed forces.
“The military takeover is not the appropriate response to the challenges facing Sudan and the aspirations of its people,” Moussa Faki, chairman of the AU Commission, said in a statement.
Egypt backs al-Bashir’s removal
Sudan’s neighbour Egypt said it supports al-Bashir’s removal and supports the “Sudanese people’s choice and will”.
In a statement, Egypt’s foreign ministry also urged the international community to help Sudan achieve a peaceful transition.
Sudan protesters reject ‘regime coup’, vow more protests
Organisers of the protests for al-Bashir’s removal rejected his toppling by the army as a “coup conducted by the regime” and vowed to keep up their campaign.
“The regime has conducted a military coup by bringing back the same faces and the same institutions which our people rose against,” the Alliance for Freedom and Change said in a statement.
“We all reject what has been mentioned in the coup statement issued by the regime … We call on our people to continue their sit-in in front of army headquarters and across all regions and in the streets.”
Sudan’s army arrests president, takes charge
The Sudanese defence minister and vice president said the military had overthrown and arrested al-Bashir and taken charge of the country for the next two years.
In an appearance on state TV, Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf said a state of emergency had been imposed for the next three months. He said the military had suspended the constitution and closed the country’s borders as well as the airspace.
Ibn Auf also imposed a night curfew.
Sudan’s al-Bashir ‘steps down’
Government sources and a provincial minister said al-Bashir stepped down and consultations were under way to set up a transitional military council to run the country.
Sudanese sources tell Reuters news agency that al-Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”.
Tens of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets in the centre of Khartoum in jubilation, dancing and chanting anti-Bashir slogans.
Sudan’s army to make ‘important statement’ amid protests
The Sudanese army plans to make “an important announcement”, state media said, after weeks of protests against longtime leader President Omar al-Bashir.
Organisers of the anti-al-Bashir protests urged people to converge and join an ongoing sit-in that has been under way in Khartoum since the weekend.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES