In a night-time coup, Sudanese military stormed the state TV and radio stations and surrounded the presidential palace on Thursday morning.
In a statement broadcast across Sudan, Defence Minister Ahmed ibn Auf announced the arrest of Sudan's now former president Omar Al Bashir, and the establishment of a two-year military rule transition.
Protests entered their sixth day with demonstrators staging a sit-in outside the army headquarters on Thursday.
Here you will find the latest updates from unfolding events in Sudan.
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07.30 Friday
There were no initial reports overnight of any action by the Sudanese armed forces against the protesters who defied the curfew in the capital Khartoum.
The National will continue its live coverage of the political upheaval and events on the ground in Sudan throughout Friday.
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22.48 Thousands defy curfew as Sudanese defence minister is sworn in as chief of new military council
Thousands of Sudanese protesters rallied outside army headquarters late on Thursday, despite a night-time curfew imposed by the military after it ousted president Omar Al Bashir following months of demonstrations.
Protesters chanted "Peace. Justice, Freedom," as they thronged the sprawling Khartoum complex for a sixth straight night after a military council replaced Mr Al Bashir earlier on Thursday.
Sudan’s Defence Minister, Lt Gen Ahmed ibn Auf, was earlier sworn in as the chief of the new military council.
The army's Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Kamal Abdelmarouf, was appointed as his deputy.
Images of both officers taking the oath in the presence of the head of the judiciary were broadcast on state television.
It was earlier announced that a transitional military council to replace the president for two years would consist of 12 people – six from the army, two from security, two from the police and two from rapid support.
Mr ibn Auf had imposed a curfew that was to begin at 10pm.
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21.47 US hails historic moment in Sudan and calls for inclusive government
US State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino called developments in Sudan a “historic moment” on Thursday, but said the two-year transition put in place by the military was too long and the process “should happen sooner".
Mr Palladino said that “the Sudanese people should determine who leads them” and “that should happen sooner than two years”.
Asked if what happened is a coup, he said: “It's a historic moment for the people of Sudan. At this time we don't have a final assessment on that situation."
#Sudan has the opportunity to set itself on a new path – one with legitimate democratic elections, respect for human rights, and a civilian-led government. We call on the transitional government to follow the will of the people and commit to a speedy handover to civilian rule. pic.twitter.com/83xgvhRQpp
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) April 11, 2019
Mr Palladino urged Sudan’s military leadership to form an inclusive government that included civilians.
He urged US citizens in Sudan to “take shelter” until the situation stabilised.
Mr Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the Darfur genocide.
“We believe the victims of Darfur deserve justice and that accountability is essential for achieving a stable and last peace,” Mr Palladino said.
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21.26 UN makes $26.5m relief pledge to Sudan
The UN’s undersecretary general and emergency relief co-ordinator Mark Lowcock announced a $26.5 million rapid response grant to provide aid to more than 800,000 people across seven states in Sudan.
“The economic crisis has had knock-on effects on the wider humanitarian situation that go beyond food insecurity," Mr Lowcock said.
"Higher food prices mean that families are eating less nutritious food and more young children and pregnant women are getting sick.
"Families struggle to afford even limited medical treatment. With jobs lost, they are also being forced to pull their children out of schools."
The UN said food insecurity had increased in Sudan, with 5.8 million people projected to be in difficulty. It is a significant increase from 2018.
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21.08 UN spokesman could not confirm contact with new authority
A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres could not confirm that contact had been made with the new authority in Khartoum.
But Mr Guterres said that the UN continued to call for member states to abide by warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
Two such warrants were issued for the longtime Sudanese leader, in 2009 and 2010, for his alleged involvement in attacks on civilians and pillaging, and three counts of genocide in Darfur.
The crimes against humanity left more than 300,000 people dead and more than two million displaced in the Darfur region between 2003 and 2008.
“The Secretary General expresses hope that the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people be realised,” his spokesman said in New York.
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20.47 Bashir 'should be handed over to International Criminal Court'
Omar Al Bashir should be handed over to the International Criminal Court, Amnesty International said.
The human rights organisation also urged the military to ensure that new emergency laws do not undermine civil liberties.
"Bashir is wanted for some of the most odious human rights violations of our generation and we need to finally see him held accountable," Amnesty secretary general Kumi Naidoo said.
"The Sudanese authorities should now turn Bashir over to the International Criminal Court so that the victims of these unspeakable crimes can see that justice is done."
Mr Al Bashir, 75, is wanted by the ICC in The Hague on charges of genocide and war crimes.
Amnesty said it was alarmed by the emergency measures brought in by the transitional military council.
"Sudan's military authorities should ensure that emergency laws are not used to undermine people's rights," Mr Naidoo said.
"The transitional authorities must take all necessary measures to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power in Sudan. That means respecting the rights to freedom of expression and assembly."
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19.42 Protesters vow to continue
Key protesters against Omar Al Bashir's rule swiftly rejected the coup by the military and vowed to keep up their demonstrations.
Defence Minister Ahmed ibn Auf announced "the toppling of the regime" and said Mr Al Bashir had been detained in "a secure place", bringing an end to his three-decade rule.
Mr ibn Auf said the country's borders and airspace would be shut until further notice.
And in a warning to protesters, he imposed a curfew from 10pm to 4am.
Organisers of the demonstrations, which erupted in December, rejected the army's move and vowed to keep up their campaign until the whole regime was swept aside.
"The people do not want a transitional military council," tweeted Alaa Salah, who became a symbol of the protest movement after a video of her leading demonstrators' chants outside army headquarters went viral.
"Change will not happen with Bashir's entire regime hoodwinking Sudanese civilians through a military coup. We want a civilian council to head the transition."
The protesters' Alliance for Freedom and Change said the regime had "conducted a military coup by bringing back the same faces and the same institutions that our people rose against".
It urged people "to continue their sit-in in front of army headquarters, across all regions and in the streets".
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19.36 Call for talks
The US government has called for UN Security Council talks on Sudan, a move supported by European administrations.
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19.10 Reaction from the UK
British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt appeared to offer support for the coup in a tweet, but expressed doubts about what would eventuate.
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17.50 Egypt supports Sudan's people, military
Egypt expressed its "complete support" for Sudan's people and the army in the political transition to follow the removal of Omar Al Bashir.
Cairo voiced its full belief in "the ability of the brotherly Sudanese people and their loyal national army to overcome the challenges of this critical stage to achieve stability, prosperity and development", a Foreign Ministry statement said.
The ministry stressed that Egypt respects Sudan's sovereignty and its national decisions.
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16.51 An expert perspective
Ahmed Soliman, a research fellow in the Africa Programme at Chatham House, gives his view on the day's events.
“The critical issue is now whether the army will want to monopolise power and replace one military leadership with another, or whether power will be shared with and transferred to a transitional civilian government," Mr Soliman said.
“There is also potential for increased violence and fragmentation if demands for a genuine transition towards an inclusive transitional civilian government are not met and the armed forces choose a contentious interim leader.
“The forces of the Declaration for Freedom and Change, steered by Sudan’s Professional Association, which has been orchestrating the protest movement, have called for the demonstrations to continue outside army headquarters in the capital and regions, as well as for the leadership of the armed forces to hand over power to a civilian administration.
“The forces for change, including the association and main opposition political groups such as the Sudan Call alliance, the National Consensus Forces, and civil society organisations, have formed a council and have proposed to govern the country for four years, to bring about peace and accountability, followed by general elections.
"This alliance has become a coherent political force in the country but still needs time to establish transitional plans, including outlining its political leadership structure and solutions for the economic crisis.”
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16.12 Protester: 'Nobody is happy and neither am I'
Protesters in Khartoum are defiant at the defence minister's announcement that the military will take over.
Raphael, one protestor at the sit-in, said he would not leave until Ahmed ibn Auf, the Defence Minister and Vice President, was gone.
"This is not a revolution, this a palace coup. Nobody is happy and neither am I," he said.
"Nobody will leave this sit-in until ibn Auf is gone. People view him as part of Bashir's regime.
"I don't know what will happen in the next hours, but at least Bashir is gone, hopefully along with all the corruption."
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15.51 ibn Auf: Sudan's defence minister announces President Bashir's arrest and two-year transitional period under military rule
Sudan's Defence Minister Ahmed ibn Auf announced the arrest of former president Omar Al Bashir on a broadcast on state television.
"Crises are all over the place, the people repeat the desires for normal life were dashed," said Mr ibn Auf, who is also the Vice President.
"No services, no life, the regime would repeat lies and false promises and implement their heavy-handed security solution to people.
"The security committee need to apologise for all the bloodshed they have caused."
Here are the key points:
- Former president Omar Al Bashir arrested
- Two-year transitional period under military council
- Closure of Sudanese airspace and all port for 24 hours
- Dissolution of the constitution
- State of emergency for three months
- Release of all political prisoners
- Curfew between 10pm and 4am local time
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15.50 Military makes statement on future of Bashir
The Sudanese military broadcast a statement, believed to be recorded through state TV and radio stations, which will determine the fate of Sudan's 30-year ruler Omar Al Bashir.
Sudan's Defence Minister, Ahmed ibn Auf, made the statement after the army stormed the state broadcasters early this morning, promising to make a statement imminently, before playing patriotic music.
"The armed forces will present an important statement shortly. Be ready for it," the announcement on state television read, without giving further details.
The president of the Military Council, Lt Gen Abdul Fattah Al Burhan, arrived at the state broadcaster earlier this morning, Sky News Arabia reported.
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15.45 'This is the beginning of the end for us'
People from across Sudan are flocking to Khartoum to take part in celebrations.
Bottles of water and sweets were being distributed on the streets, Reem Abbas, said a Sudanese journalist, who called it is the beginning of the end.
"This is really the beginning. What we do know right now is that Bashir is gone. We don't know who is going to take over.
"We don't know what the new structure of the government is going to be, but we do know that this is the beginning of the end for us."
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15.25 Where is the army's announcement?
For more than seven hours Sudan's state broadcasters have said there will be an announcement shortly, but there has been no sign of it.
Sources on the ground suspect there may be fractures within the coup, with members differing in opinion in the best way forward.
But the facts of the situation are unclear.
There is no official confirmation that President Omar Al Bashir has resigned or stepped down – reports are based on unidentified sources – but his son told Al Hadath TV that he is under house arrest.
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14.22 All political prisoners released
Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service announced the release of all political prisoners across the country, state news agency Suna reported.
Sudanese protesters stormed intelligence and security buildings in eastern cities of Port Sudan and Kassala, agencies reported.
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13.50 President Bashir under house arrest, opposition party says
President Bashir is under house arrest, his son told Al Hadath TV, according to Reuters.
The Sudanese President is under arrest with a "number of Muslim Brotherhood leaders", one of the leader's sons said.
Earlier reports said up to 40 Sudanese army vehicles surrounded the presidential palace.
The Dubai-based channel initially attributed the statement to opposition leader Sadiq Al Mahdi, but later clarified it was his son, Al Sadeeq Sadiq Al Mahdi.
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13.20 'Nubian Queen' Alaa Salah calls for Bashir's prosecution
Alaa Salah, the Sudanese woman who became the face of Sudan's revolution with a moving protest song, has called for President Al Bashir to face justice.
The president, who has reportedly stepped down, should be "arrested and prosecuted for multiple counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Sudan", she said.
Read more about Alaa Salah here
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13.10 Jubilant scenes in Khartoum
Thousands of people are filling the streets in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, including Dr Nuha Ali, an activist who was detained and tortured by the government.
"Everyone is heading towards the building of the general command," where five days of sit-ins have taken place so far, she told The National.
Dr Ali is overwhelmed with joy and everyone she meets is jubilant, she said.
"I'm so happy for this achievement. The blood we witnessed wasn't for nothing."
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12.25 EU urges peaceful and civilian transition
The EU urged for a peaceful and civilian-led transition of power in Sudan, fearing that the country might descend into violence.
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12.10 Soldiers raid Bashir's Islamic movement HQ
Soldiers have raided the headquarters of President Omar Al Bashir's Islamic movement in Khartoum, Reuters says.
The Islamic movement is the main component of Sudan's ruling party.
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11.45 Paper messages of justice passed through crowds
As thousands of people flood the streets of Sudan, some are printing pieces of paper calling for President Al Bashir's punishment.
"To the courageous citizens: we have conducted this revolution with for justice. Al Bashir is a criminal and must be punished. We will not allow for Al Bashir and his relatives to escape," it says.
It is not clear who produced the message, which also says anyone who assists in Mr Al Bashir's escape is a traitor.
"We will not allow for a military government to take over, or a dictator, and for Al Bashir to get away without justice," it says.
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11.27 Reuters: Bashir steps down
President Omar Al Bashir has stepped down and consultations are under way to form an interim council, Reuters reports.
The minister of production and economic resources in North Darfur, Adel Mahjoub Hussein, told Dubai-based Al Hadath TV that "there are consultations to form a military council to take over power after President Bashir stepped down".
Sudanese sources confirmed the report and said Mr Al Bashir was at the presidential residence under "heavy guard".
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10.30 Omar Al Bashir, the paratrooper turned 30-year leader
Omar Al Bashir, a former paratrooper who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1989, has been a divisive figure whose presidency has lurched from one crisis after another.
First, the second Sudan civil war between the government in the north and the Sudanese Liberation Army in the south divided the country.
Then his campaign to crush a rebellion by ethnic Africans in the western Darfur region earned him an indictment for genocide from the International Criminal Court in 2010.
The following year, the south of the country seceded, taking most of the country's oil wealth and ushering in one of the worst economic crises to hit Sudan since independence in 1956.
The latest bout of unrest began on December 19. The protests were initially against shortages and price rises, but they soon shifted to demands that Mr Al Bashir step down.
On April 6, tens of thousands of protesters staged rallies and sit-ins outside the military headquarters to mark the 34th anniversary of the 1985 coup that overthrew the brutal regime of president Jaafar Nimeri.
That led to an elected government, which ruled for four years before Mr Al Bashir seized power in a coup of his own.
Sadiq Al Mahdi, who led the country after the 1985 coup until he was deposed by Mr Al Bashir, has joined the protesters. This week he called for "a select military command" to negotiate a transition towards democracy.
Although Mr Al Bashir resigned as chairman of the National Congress Party in March and announced a Cabinet reshuffle, the move did little to stem the demonstrations.
His new administration saw a greater role for the military with officers appointed to governorships and cabinet posts in a move experts believed was an attempt to bolster support among the army leadership and head off a coup.
If reports are correct, this does not appear to have been successful.
The military has been sent across important areas of the capital, state radio and TV is playing patriotic music and the head of the military council is set to make a major announcement.
Many expect it to be news that Mr Al Bashir has been deposed and the army has taken over.
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10.12 Mass arrests reported in Sudan as interim council formed
There are reports that hundreds of officials from the government and National Congress Party – the party of President Omar Al Bashir – have been arrested.
Aletihad and Al Arabiya report that the Sudanese army announced the formation of an interim council headed by Sudan’s Minister of Defence, first Vice President Ahmed ibn Auf.
The Sudanese Professionals Association said they would only accept a civilian interim government.
"We do not accept a military government and the handover of power to a civilian government" is what the people want, they said in a tweet.
والتي لا تقبل بديلاً عن تنحي النظام كاملاً وتسليم السلطة لحكومة إنتقالية مدنية تعبر عن ثورتكم الباسلة.
— تجمع المهنيين السودانيين (@AssociationSd) April 11, 2019
قوى إعلان الحرية والتغيير
١١ أبريل ٢٠١٩#اعتصام_القياده_العامه#السودان_الاضراب_العام#مدن_السودان_تنتفض
As the country awaits the announcement by the military, more people have joined the sit-in outside the defence ministry in central Khartoum, where protesters chanted: "It has fallen, we won."
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10.00 Sudanese union says military involvement brings 'great relief'
The Sudanese Professionals Association, a union that has been active in the protests, said parts of the country's army have joined what they called "the revolution".
"We call on all of the armed forces in Sudan to assume their patriotic role by stepping up and protecting the unarmed civilians exercising their sit-in at the [Sudan Armed Forces] Headquarters," the statement said, adding that their involvement "has brought great relief to the masses".
"As we affirm our welcome to all positive stances in support of the revolution, we call upon all honourable Sudanese to continue their triumphant sit-in before the SAF Headquarters in Khartoum and other main army premises all over the cities of Sudan.
"This sit-in is the ink with which we write glorious pages in the future of our people and our country, Sudan."
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09.48 Thousands flock to military compound
Thousands of people have flocked to a sit-in outside Sudan's Defence Ministry compound in Khartoum, Reuters reports.
Sit-ins outside the army headquarters reached their fifth day on Wednesday and have been a key part of the country's protests.
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09.26 Senior ministers arrested - reports
Al Etihad newspaper is reporting that the former Sudanese Minister of Defence, Abdulrahim Hussein, has been arrested.
There are reports that President Omar Al Bashir's personal guards have also been arrested.
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09.16 Bashir steps down - reports
Several Arabic news outlets including Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia are reporting that President Omar Al Bashir has or will imminently step down, citing sources.
The National has not been able to independently verify these reports.
Some news outlets are saying the capital's main airport has been closed.
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08.55 About 40 military vehicles surround presidential palace - Sky News Arabia
About 40 military vehicles have surrounded the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sky News Arabia reports.
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08.30 Sudanese army to make a statement
The Sudanese army will make an "important statement soon," state television and radio announced after the army surrounded and entered the broadcasters.
Sudan state radio started playing nationalistic music and the state TV and radio stations were merged.
Witnesses said there is a heavy presence of armed personnel on the streets of Khartoum, the country's capital.
Army chiefs of staff met without President Omar Al Bashir, Al Arabiya said.
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Tuesday: Western nations call for Bashir to go
The three western nations, the UK, US and Norway, released a statement on Tuesday evening calling on Omar Al Bashir to step down.
"The time has come for the Sudanese authorities to respond to these popular demands in a serious way," their embassies said. "The Sudanese authorities must now respond and deliver a credible plan for this political transition."
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Background: Pressure on military to intervene after protests against Omar Al Bashir
Protests entered their fifth day with demonstrators staging a sit-in in front of the army headquarters on Wednesday.
The organisers say 21 demonstrators have been killed since the start of the five-day sit-in.
After months of unrest, Sudanese soldiers are defying orders to crack down on demonstrators, pitting them against their commanders and government security services.
Protesters say they welcome the protection but fear that the country could slip into civil war if the clashes continue.
Sadiq Al Mahdi, a Sudanese political leader prominent in the opposition movement, called for "a select military command" to negotiate a transition towards democracy.
The sit-in began on April 6 to mark the 34th anniversary of the 1985 coup that overthrew the brutal regime of president Jaafar Nimeri.
That led to an elected government, which ruled for four years before Mr Al Bashir seized power in a coup of his own.
Just as in 1985, protesters are again urging the army to side with them.
So far the military has been walking a fine line. It said it would not use force to disperse protests but also affirmed its loyalty to Mr Al Bashir.
