Sudan Military Ousts Dictator as North Africa Rocked by Upheaval by Matina Stevis-Gridneff – Wall Street Journal
Sudan’s military seized power from the country’s longtime dictator, Omar al-Bashir, Thursday, setting up a clash with protesters who have been calling for a civilian government and deepening an upheaval of power structures in the North African region.
Mr. Bashir has been arrested and the army is taking over power for two years, Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, Sudan’s defense minister and a longtime ally of Mr. Bashir, said in a statement broadcast on state television. The country’s constitution has been suspended and the military dissolved the government and parliament, Mr. Auf added.
“I, minister of defense and head of the high security committee, declare the uprooting of Bashir’s regime and detaining its head [Mr. Bashir] in a safe place and the formation of an interim military council for a transitional period of two years,” said Mr. Auf, dressed in full military uniform.