Sudan’s Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf on Thursday told media that the Sudanese military has removed President Omar al-Bashir from power and set up a transitional military council to rule the country for two years.
Omar al-Bashir came to power in Sudan in 1989, when he lead a coup against then Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. Bashir dissolved the government, political parties and trade unions, and declared himself chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council.
He survived a coup attempt the following year. He later ordered the execution of more than 30 army and police officers implicated in the failed takeover.
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His personal guard has been replaced and is under close watch.
Sudan’s Prime Minister Mohamed Taher Ayala and the head of the ruling National Congress Party, Ahmed Haroun, are among dozens of officials to be arrested in Sudan on Thursday, a top military official with direct knowledge of the situation told CNN.
