Sudan Military takes over government, Bashir arrested

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Former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir has been ousted from power in much the same manner as he achieved it.

The country's defense minister told State TV that Bashir had been arrested and that a military council would be running the country for a two-year transitional period in which the country will prepare for elections.

The army also says all political prisoners have been released and the 2005 constitution has also been canceled.

Bashir, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1989, was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”, Sudanese sources said. Tens of thousands of people danced and chanted anti-Bashir slogans in the streets of Khartoum.

During his 30-year rule, Bashir was a master at playing rival factions among security services, the military, Islamists and armed tribes off against each other. But he underestimated the anger of young Sudanese men and women demanding an end to economic hardships.

Bashir ultimately faced almost daily defiance in towns and cities across Sudan despite a crackdown by security forces using teargas and sometimes live ammunition, in which dozens of people have been killed.

Addressing soldiers in January, Bashir warned the “rats to go back to their holes” and said he would move aside only for another army officer or at the ballot box.

“They said they want the army to take power. That's no problem. If someone comes in wearing khaki, we have no objection,” Bashir, wearing his military uniform, told soldiers at a base in Atbara, the northern city where protests erupted.

Later in January, Bashir declared a national state of emergency that expanded police powers and banned unlicensed public gatherings. He told parliament to postpone, not cancel, constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term.