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SUDAN UNREST: Omar al-Bashir

SUDAN’S PRESIDENT Omar al-Bashir has stepped down following protests, according to reports.

It is understood that Bashir is under house arrest.

Adel Mahjoub Hussein, the minister of production and economic resources in North Darfur, told Al Hadath TV: "There are consultations to form a military council to take over power after President Bashir stepped down.”

Soldiers were deployed to secure important buildings in the country’s capital, including the airport, the TV studio and the presidential palace, The Times reported.

Around 100 figures who prompted Bashir have been taken into custody by the army, The Times reported opposition sources said.

The news comes after protests calling for Bashir to step down swept Sudan and a week-long sit-in at the army headquarters.

In the aftermath of the announcement, demonstrators have taken to the streets and celebrated the news that Bashir’s three decades of rule have ended.

Bashir has been in power since 1989, when he became president during a coup. Although an international warrant was issued for his arrest by the International Criminal Court, resulting in an international travel ban, he continued to rule and won elections in 2010 and 2015.

He faces ICC charges of organising war crimes against humanity and has been accused of genocide.

Speaking on state TV, Awad Ibn Auf, the defence minister, said a three-month state of emergency was being implemented and a curfew from 10pm to 4am would be imposed for one month.

All checkpoints and borders have been closed until further notice.

Ibn Auf revealed that president Bashir was being held in a safe place.

He said the army would oversee a two-year transitional period which would be followed by elections.

More to follow...

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