Al-Bashir detained as military seizes power in Sudan (updated)

The Sudanese military has taken control of government, throwing President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan into detention.

The military struck after a series of protests in Khartoum, capital of the country. The protesters had demanded the resignation of the president.

In a state wide broadcast, Awad Ibnouf, Sudanese defence minister and army general, said the military will be in charge of the country for two years and conduct elections afterwards.

“I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place,” said on state television on Thursday.

Ibnouf said Al-Bashir, who has spent 30 years in power, had been detained in a “safe place”.

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

The Sudanese Professionals Association, which spearheaded the protests, had earlier said they will only accept the handover of power to a civilian transitional government.

Protesters gathered in front of the military headquarters as military vehicles were deployed on key roads and bridges in Khartoum.

They were reportedly shouting “It has fallen, we won,” according to Reuters.

The crisis has escalated since the weekend, when thousands of demonstrators began camping out outside the defence ministry compound in central Khartoum, where Bashir’s residence is located.

Clashes erupted on Tuesday between soldiers trying to protect the protesters and intelligence and security personnel trying to disperse them.

Opposition figures have called for the military to help negotiate an end to Bashir’s nearly three decades in power and a transition to democracy.