Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has resigned after months
of protests calling for an end to his 30-year reign.
Sudan's army announced that they were to deliver an
"important statement" on Thursday and asked the nation to "wait
for it". Early this morning, it was revealed that Mr Al-Bashir resigned
his position with immediate effect. Reports of Mr Al-Bashir’s resignation came
shortly after the soldiers reportedly surrounded his palace in the capital
Khartoum.
The 75-year-old has reportedly handed over to the country’s
supreme military council controlled by the armed forces and consultations are
underway to set up a transitional council
His ouster follows days of protests that have engulfed the
country. News of his resignation has been met with celebrations. Protesters
have taken to the streets, waiting for the official announcement to be made.
The army has taken control of certain government
installations and several former and current officials, including a former vice
president, have been arrested.
As for Omar al-Bashir, he has not been heard of or seen for
24 hours. He has reportedly fled to Saudi Arabia, but details of this
development are also still sketchy. Top government and military officials have
had a meeting without the president
Al Jazeera reveals that the army has been cooperative and
protective of protests. Airports have been shut down and some broadcast
stations were said to have been taken over by soldiers. Protesters have been
asked to move to the main square for a further sit-in. Protesters are matching
to the military headquarters, demanding that the military should only supervise
the ouster of Mr Al-Bashir, but not take over power in its aftermath.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir resigns after a 30-year
reign amidst protests
Mr Al-Bashir seized power in 1989 as a military general and
has served the longest since the country gained independence in 1956. For
months now, there have been calls for Mr Al-Bashir to leave power and more than
50 people have been killed since the agitation for took off in December.
