Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday and dissolved the government, in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule of three decades.

"I announce imposing a state of emergency across the country for one year," Bashir said in a televised address to the nation.

"I announce dissolving the government at the federal level and at the provincial levels," he added. </s> Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has declared a year-long state of emergency, dissolving his cabinet and local governments throughout the country.

Omar al-Bashir in a televised address called on Sudan’s parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for another term in a presidential election in 2020.

Omar al-Bashir’s term ends in 2020 and he has repeatedly promised over the years not to make new runs for the presidency.

Since December 2018, various areas in Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, have been witnessing popular protests over the deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic commodities. </s> Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, facing the country's biggest popular protests since he came to power 30 years ago, declared a one-year state of emergency on Friday and called on parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in a 2020 presidential election.

In a televised speech, Bashir said he would dissolve the central government as well as state governments.

"Firm economic measures should be taken in a new government", Bashir said, adding that he would assign that task to a qualified team.

He also addressed the opposition. "I extend a sincere invitation to the opposition forces, who are still outside the path of national reconciliation ... to move forward and engage in the dialogue regarding the current issues of our country".

In a subsequent decree, Bashir set up a caretaker administration comprising a senior official from each ministry, but kept the defense, foreign and justice ministers in place. </s> Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has been ousted and arrested by the military after nearly 30 years in power.

Speaking on state TV, defence minister Awad Ibn Auf said the army would oversee a two-year transitional period followed by elections.

He also said a three-month state of emergency was being put in place.

Protesters, however, have vowed to stay on the streets despite an overnight curfew being imposed by the military.

Demonstrations against Mr Bashir, who has governed Sudan since 1989, have been taking place for several months.

The protesters are now demanding a civilian council to lead the transition rather than a military one. </s> Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has declared a year-long state of emergency, dissolving his cabinet and local governments throughout the country.

In a televised address on Friday, Bashir also called on Sudan's parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for another term in a presidential election in 2020.

Acknowledging the popular protests that have rocked his administration in recent months, the 75-year-old said the "demands of our people for better living conditions are lawful".

"I will not stop calling for all parties to sit at the dialogue table," Bashir said, adding he would remain on the "side of the youth who represent the future of Sudan".

Bashir's announcement on Friday followed months of nearly daily protests against his rule, with thousands of people taking to the streets across the country since December 19 to call for him to stand down after nearly three decades in office.

While the protests were initially set off by the rising cost of bread and fuel in the north of Sudan, they quickly grew into a demand for more political freedoms and an end to Bashir's rule.

The demonstrations continued on Friday in the hours before Bashir's speech.

Security forces fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who marched and chanted anti-government slogans following Friday prayers at a major mosque near the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, eyewitnesses said.

Activists say nearly 60 people have been killed since the protests began, while authorities put the death toll at 31.

Hundreds of protesters, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists have also been jailed by the widely-feared National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

Al Jazeera's Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said it would likely become increasingly difficult for protesters to continue their demonstrations as the state of emergency kicks in.

"As per Sudan's constitution, the state of emergency gives the police, the security forces and the military the right to search without warrant, to raid houses and arrest anybody they deem a threat to the country's national security and economic development and stability," Morgan said.

"Bashir also said that those protesting have been infiltrated by agents with foreign agendas and that they are people who want to destabilise the country. With that being said and with the state of emergency in place, it is likely that more force will be used against protesters," she added.

Organisers of anti-government protests across Sudan vowed to press on with their demonstrations until Bashir steps down, however.

"We are calling on our people to continue with demonstrations until the main aim of this uprising, which is the stepping down of the regime chief, is achieved," said the Sudanese Professionals Association, which is spearheading the campaign, just after Bashir announced a state of emergency across the country.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court over charges of masterminding genocide in the Darfur region, which he denies. He has been lobbying for Sudan to be removed from a list of countries Washington deems state sponsors of terrorism.

The listing has blocked the investment and financial aid that Sudan was hoping for when the United States lifted sanctions in 2017, economists say.

Sudan has been rapidly expanding its money supply in an attempt to finance its budget deficit, causing spiralling inflation and a steep decline in the value of its currency. </s> Sudan’s army has detained President Omar al-Bashir after he was removed from power in the wake of the protests that escalated against his 30-year rule.

“I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place,” said Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, Sudanese defence minister and army general, on state television on Thursday.

Ibn Auf, according to Reuters, said the 75-year-old veteran leader had been detained in a “safe place” and a military council would now run the country.

“A military council will take control of the country for two years, after which elections would be held,” he added.

The army general disclosed that the African nation had been suffering from “poor management, corruption, and an absence of justice”.

The defence minister thereafter announced a state of emergency, a nationwide ceasefire and the suspension of the constitution.

The president was overthrown in a coup by the armed forces following a series of protests in Khartoum, capital of the country. The protesters had demanded his resignation.

There were also reports that some senior figures close to President al-Bashir in the ruling National Congress party had been detained. </s> Sudan's Defense Minister Awad ibn Auf was sworn in Thursday as chairman of the new Military Transitional Council following the overthrow of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

Ibn Auf took the constitutional oath in the capital Khartoum in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Abdul Majid Idris which was broadcast live on state television. Kamal Abdul-Marouf Al-Mahi, chairman of the Joint Staff Command, was sworn in as deputy chairman of the council.

The Sudanese military earlier Thursday announced the removal of al-Bashir, who had ruled Sudan since 1989, and the imposition of a two-year "transitional phase" following mass demonstrations calling for the president to step down.

Ibn Auf also announced in a televised statement the imposition of a one-month curfew to take effect Thursday evening along with a three-month nationwide state of emergency. He further announced the suspension of Sudan’s 2005 Constitution and the dissolution of the Sudanese presidency, parliament and council of ministers. He said a military council would be drawn up to run the country’s affairs during the post-Bashir interim phase.

Sudanese opposition parties and professional associations voiced “total rejection” of what they described as a "military coup". Al-Bashir came to power on the back of a 1989 military coup against the democratically-elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. </s> Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has declared a state of emergency for a year, disbanded the federal government and replaced all state governors with senior army officers.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has declared a state of emergency for a year, disbanded the federal government and replaced all state governors with senior army officers.

Mr Al-Bashir — who seized power in a 1989 coup — also said that he will postpone pushing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek a third term in office.

Facing genocide charges, Mr al-Bashir’s rule has been rocked by civil wars and increasing street demonstrations.

A heavy security crackdown has left scores of protesters dead. At least 57 people have been killed since December.

“Our country is passing through a difficult and complicated phase in our national history,” Mr al-Bashir said in a speech aired live from the presidential palace in Khartoum.

“We will get out of it stronger and more united and determined.”

In a rare acknowledgement, Mr al-Bashir described the demands of the protesters as “legitimate”, but said there are attempts to exploit the youth protests “to take the country to the unknown”.

The state of emergency will give the security forces a free hand in cracking down on protesters and carrying out detentions, and places heavier restrictions on the press and opposition parties.

The announcements were instantly met with street demonstrations, demanding the longtime president to step down. Witnesses said riot police fired tear gas and arrested a number of protesters.

Sudan has been gripped by nationwide protests since December 19. The demonstrations, which show no sign of abating, were triggered by rising prices and shortages but quickly turned to calls for Mr al-Bashir to step down.

Mr Al-Bashir’s term ends in 2020 and he has repeatedly promised over the years not to make new runs for the presidency. Without amending the constitutions, he cannot run for a third term.

His announcement came days after a parliamentary committee tasked with amending the constitution to scrap presidential term limit cancelled its meetings.

The Sudanese Professional Association, which is spearheading the country’s demonstrations, warned of any measures that could “turn against” the demands of the Sudanese people, and vowed that it will respond with more escalation in street protests.

“The demands of this revolution are crystal clear,” the statement said, “the regime and its head must step down.”

However, Mr al-Bashir warned the opposition of the “zero-sum” game that creates chaos, pointing to a wave of the Arab Spring uprisings that led to civil wars in countries like Libya and Yemen. </s> (Bloomberg) -- Sudan’s army overthrew President Omar al-Bashir and announced it would rule the oil-producing North African nation through a military council for the next two years.

First Vice President and Defense Minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, speaking Thursday in a nationwide broadcast, announced a three-month state of emergency, a suspension of the constitution and the release of political prisoners. Al-Bashir, who took power in a 1989 coup, is being held under house arrest, he said.

The army’s ouster of al-Bashir came after four months of protests and ends the rule of one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
• Army disbanded the National Assembly and the state governments
• A supreme security council, made up of the intelligence, military, police and other branches has been monitoring for some time what has been happening
• Security committee warned the presidency, but the regime “kept repeating slogans and fake promises”

To contact the reporters on this story: Mohammed Alamin in Khartoum at malamin1@bloomberg.net;Tarek El-Tablawy in Cairo at teltablawy@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Karl Maier at kmaier2@bloomberg.net, Michael Gunn
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declares a year-long state of emergency, dissolves his Cabinet and sacks all state governors amid ongoing anti-government protests.