Alwaght-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has been forced to step down and that consultations are underway to form a transitional council.
Adel Mahjoub Hussein, the Sudanese minister of production and economic resources in North Darfur, told the Dubai-based al-Hadath TV on Thursday that, “There are consultations to form a military council to take over power after President Bashir stepped down.”
The announcement brought thousands of Sudanese to the center of the capital, Khartoum, cheering in jubilation and chanting anti-Bashir slogans.
Sudan official and radio-television have interrupted their programs and stated that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) will issue a communiqué soon.
Reports from Khartoum say the ouster of al Bashir is backed by the whole military institution including the defense minister and first vice-president Awad Ibn Ouf.
Also, armored vehicles belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been seen deployed in the strategic positions of the capital.
The whereabouts of President Omer al-Bashir remain unknown. However, reports say he is at his home under house arrest by the army.
Since December 19, Sudan has been rocked by persistent protests sparked by the government’s attempt to raise the price of bread, and an economic crisis that has led to fuel and cash shortages. Opposition figures had called for the military to help negotiate an end to Bashir’s nearly three decades in power and a transition to democracy.
The demonstrators at the defence ministry had said they wanted to submit a petition for the armed forces to take their side in their attempt to remove Bashir and his Islamist-backed administration.