Africa

Online groups are targeting and killing young men in Kenya they believe to be gang members.

A photographer breaks stereotypes in Senegal to show that men can be seen in public caring for their children.

One month after Cyclone Idai devastated parts of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) appealed to the international community to  help some 1.6 million children still reeling from its impact.  

On the fifth anniversary of the schoolgirls' kidnapping, more than 100 are still missing.

Aril 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The head of Sudan's Military Transition Council (MTC) has lifted a night curfew imposed by his predecessor and directed to release of prisoners jailed under the emergency law for protests against the regime of the unseated President Omer al-Bashir.

On 11 April, former head of the MTC Awad Ibn Ouf announced the al-Bashir's overthrow, suspended the Interim Constitution of 2005, declared a three-month state of emergency and a one-month of curfew from 10 pm to 4 am.

However, the curfew was not effectively enforced as the protests including the sit-in outside the army headquarters continued and the opposition calls to defy the restrictive measures.

Ahead of talks with a delegation of the Freedom and Change Declaration forces, Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan in a statement broadcast by Sudanese radio and national television pledged to promote human rights in line with the international and regional charters.

The Council decided to "cancel the curfew, release those sentenced under the Emergency Law or any other law related to recent demonstrations and protests," he said.

Further, he relieved the military governors appointed by al-Bashir last and assigned the army commanders to conduct the affairs of the states.

He further addressed "an open invitation to dialogue for all sectors of society and its parties and civil society organizations."

Also, he called on the "arms holders to sit on the negotiating table to reach a peaceful settlement based on new rules and standards."

The Sudanese general stressed the Council's commitment to a two-year transitional period during which or at the end of which a civilian government would be formed.

The Sudanese opposition groups call for a 4-year period to allow them to build their parties, end the armed conflicts and solve the economic crisis and well as end the international sanction on Sudan.

They are also worried by the presence of the former regime elements in the state apparatus as no concrete measures have been taken until now to neutralize them.

Al-Burhan added that the council is working to remove all restrictions and barriers that hinder freedoms, promoting the spirit of equality and tolerance among the Sudanese society components and enable parties and organizations to carry out their political and professional activities.

"I ask you to help return (home) and to normalize life. We also call on political parties, forces of change and groups and organizations to deal with this stage impartially and patriotically and uphold national values," he called.

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April 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Salah Gosh, the Director of National Intelligence and Security Service has resigned from his position since Friday, according to a statement released on Saturday.

"General Abdel Fattah al-Burha, the head of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), accepted the resignation of General Engineer Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh Gosh as head of the National Security and Intelligence Service," said a short statement by the military body.

According to the official news agency, Gosh extended his resignation on Friday.

The details of the removal of former President Omer al-Bashir have not been disclosed but it is agreed that his insistence to shoot the protesters triggered a meeting between the army, the Rapid Support Forces and the NISS where it was decided to unseat him.

There were conflicting reports about Gosh as some said he was under arrest.

Awad Ibn Ouf the former First Vice-President, and defence minister resigned on Friday evening from his position as the TMC head. Also, removed the former chief of staff Kamal Abdel Marouf.

The Sudanese opposition demands a power transfer to the Freedom and Changes Declaration forces and the dissolution of the military council.

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April 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) -The Sudanese Professionals Association Saturday has urged the Sudanese people to keep protests and to continue the sit-in outside the army headquarters until to hand over power to civilians.

The former head of the Military Transitional Council, Awad Ibn Ouf resigned on Friday after dismissing the army chief of staff Kamal Abdel Marouf on Friday, in response to the street demand. Both were seen as part of the al-Bashir regime.

The resignation was celebrated by the Sudanese during the night, as the professionals' group which coordinates the protests called to remain mobilized until the full power transfer to a civilian government.

"Today, we continue our journey to complete our victorious revolution. We celebrate our victories and affirm that our revolution is continuing and will not retreat or deviate from its path to achieve full and legitimate demands of the people: handing over the power to a civil transitional government in accordance with the Declaration of Freedom and Change," the SPA said in a statement released on Saturday morning.

The statement further stressed its demand for justice for all the crimes committed against the martyrs of the revolution and the Sudanese people.

The head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who stepped down from the military council to protest the decisions of Ibn Ouf and to press for his resignation expressed his support for the new head of the transitional military council and called for a very short transitional period.

"General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is well accepted by the army, the Sudanese people and an honest man. We cannot accept chaos " and I call on the protesters to accept the military council," he said.

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April 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The commander of the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (aka Hemitte) has called for a very short transitional period before to hand power over to civilians.

RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti) (SUNA photo)

Hemitte surprised the street by his strong support to the democratic forces and was one of the army generals who pressed to unseat the former President Omer al-Bashir.

Also, he stepped down resigned from the transitional military council to protests the decisions issued by its former head Awad Ibn Ouf who was also the former first vice president and defence minister.

In a statement released during the first hours of Saturday morning, Hemitte said he had already made it clear that the decisions of the army leadership should satisfy the demand of Sudanese people and called to expedite dialogue with political forces and the Sudanese Professionals Association.

To announce "a clear program for a transitional period of no more than three to six months, during which the constitution will be revised through a drafting committee with the participation of all the Sudanese forces," he said.

He further proposed to form a new transitional military council flanked with a civilian government to be formed by the political parties and the professionals' group.

Two days al-Bashir's removal, Hemitte addressed his troops saying they have many enemies and they have to demonstrate once again who they are and protect the civilians and their properties, stressing they should not repress the peaceful protests.

"Time has come to prove to Khartoum people the true nature of the Rapid Support Forces," he stressed.

In an interview with the Egyptian Almydan TV on Friday, he said the army leadership agreed on the need to overthrow al-Bashir to avoid chaos and killing.

He said the move aimed at preventing "possible massacres by the militias of the old regime" or armed men join the protesters to defend them.

Asked about al-Bashir's handover to the International Criminal Court (ICC), he indicated his preference for a national court stressing that a decision on this respect should be taken by the Sudanese people.

Formed in August 2013, the RSF were part of the government militias that fought rebel groups in Darfur region and the Two Areas. They are accused of atrocities and war crimes.

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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) “does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern”, according to a statement issued on Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

By Duop Chak Wuol

On April 11, 2019, Pope Francis did what I viewed as a rather astonishing move. His decision to kiss the feet of President Salva Kiir, SPLM-IO leader Dr Riek Machar, current First Vice President Taban Deng and Mama Rebecca Garang de Mabior was undeniably dramatic—in fact, it was surprising given the fact that some of these leaders contributed immensely to the suffering of the people of South Sudan. In this article, I argue that the “spiritual retreat” that has recently been concluded between Kiir, Machar, and other South Sudanese leaders at the Vatican is a plausible thing to do and that the young nation's leaders must be serious about bringing an end to the civil war this time.

As someone who always writes critical articles against the government, I decided to respect this event, religious diplomacy, to give our leaders some time to see if they are ready for peace. I was moved to see the Pope kissing the feet of South Sudanese leaders. This is what led me to give Kiir and Machar some space to think and work to fulfil their commitment to peace. I will resume my regular writings at the time of my choosing. The goal of this piece is simply to urge Kiir and Machar to be true to themselves and appeal to their sense of spiritual principles so that peace can be realized.

Before it was launched, the retreat was widely viewed in South Sudan as a virtuous strategy to help find a solution to the conflict. Dialogue is a good technique used extensively by human beings. This practice is as old as humanity itself. But it does not always translate into the intended goal. What His Holiness Pope Francis did is indisputably a good gesture to show to President Kiir and rebel leader Dr Machar through religious perspectives that sometimes it takes knowledge, forgiveness, understanding, commitment, and conviction to find a sense of peace. It is worth mentioning that diplomacy has many dimensions, including the political, social, religious, economic, and other social domains. Remember this dialogue is religious — it is also one of the best methods, if not the best, to use to resolve conflicts around the world.

In his address to South Sudanese political and religious leaders, the Pope welcomed South Sudan's leaders and reminded them that the purpose of the retreat is for them to unite together, reflect on their lives, and to recognize their shared responsibility for the present and future of the South Sudanese. Pope Francis's message was loud and clear: he wanted South Sudanese leaders to fulfil the meaning of the spiritual retreat, meaning, that they must remove themselves from their past actions that contributed to the destruction of the country. I would also like to remind our leaders that the Pope's speech also asked them to cease hostilities and respect the September 2018 peace agreement so that the ongoing political and tribal division will be overcome. In addition, Pope Francis reminded South Sudan's leaders that leaders made mistakes and that it is good to repent so that they can be forgiven. For lasting peace to come to our nation, President Kiir and rebel leader Dr Machar must step back from their “usual environment,” as the Pope indicated. The two men must also remember that Pope Francis told them during his speech that ‘God is watching'.

Can religious diplomacy bring peace in South Sudan?

There is clearly no conclusive answer to this question. Nevertheless, there is hope that Pope Francis's attempt could deliver a good result for the people of South Sudan. The Pope is known as a peace-maker who champions the poor and burdened societies. His sense of wanting to end the suffering of the South Sudanese resonates with his mentality. The people of South Sudan are tired of war and hope this spiritual retreat might be the answer. I realized after reading the speech of Pope Francis that the political game that Machar and Kiir have been playing could come to an end unless the two men are not faithful to their words.

However, a careful analysis of past and current peace-related events also shows that the retreat could simply end up as part of previous unsuccessful deals. All past failed agreements and the recent spiritual summit at the Vatican have only one difference, and this difference is the religious component. Kiir and Machar are known Christians. But the critical question here is whether the two men will be driven by their religious convictions or other hidden interests. It is just not clear now if these leaders who have been fighting against each other for more than five years are ready this time.

Spiritual diplomacy, like any other form of diplomacy, is very important, especially in places like South Sudan where political leaders resort to violent means to stay in power or gain illicit access to national coffers. Regional and international diplomacies have already been tried and to no avail. These channels were used through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Union (AU), Troika countries (the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom), and the United Nations, but all failed. There is also the undeniable fact that the collapse of the August 2015 peace agreement in July 2016 happened because the government was not serious about peace. One can only hope that the Vatican-hosted religious retreat will not be used as a cover by some South Sudanese leaders to commit even more crimes or to further prolong the destruction of the country.

President Kiir must be serious about peace this time. He should do this by permanently ordering his forces not to launch an attack against the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), allocate enough money for peace implementation, revoke the 32 states presidential decree and return the country to the original 10 states, reunify the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO forces for retraining as stipulated in September 2018 agreement, allow the peace monitors unlimited access to conduct their work, and consent to the formation of an Hybrid court to try those who have been implicated in the war crimes and crimes against humanity. Kiir should also reach out to the National Salvation Front (NAS) to show that he is committed to peace in the country. This is the time for Kiir and Machar to reflect on the destruction of the nation and the nearly 400,000 South Sudanese who lost their lives merely because of an act of political immaturity. President Kiir must be serious because using a religious figure to further advance the same mindset would be a colossal mistake—perhaps a disgraceful one.

Duop Chak Wuol is the editor-in-chief of the South Sudan News Agency (https://southsudannewsagency.org/. He can be reached at duop282@gmail.com. Note: The views expressed in this article are his and should not be attributed to the South Sudan News Agency.

April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The commander of the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (aka Hemitte) has refused to participate in the Transitional Military Council which took over power following the ouster of former President Omer al-Bashir.

On Thursday, the Defence Minister and First Vice- President Awad Ibn Ouf overthrew President Omer al-Bashir and announced his arrest in a safe place.

He said the Supreme Security Committee, including the armed forces, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), RSF and the police took full responsibility for changing the whole regime during a two-year transitional period.

In a statement published on the RSF webpage on Friday, Hemitte said: “I'd like to announce to the Sudanese people that I, in my capacity as commander of the RSF, have refused to participate in the military council since 11 April”.

He pointed out that RSF would remain part of the armed forces and would work to maintain the unity of the country and respect for human rights.

Hemitte added his forces would continue to side with the choices of the Sudanese people.

On Friday, the military information department said the formation of the military council has been delayed for further consultations.

It is noteworthy that the militia commander on Thursday issued a statement in which he stressed support for the people's demand of handing over power to a civil transitional government, saying the RSF rejects any solutions that don't meet the desires of the Sudanese people.

He also asked the leaders of the Sudanese Professionals Association and the various opposition parties and the youth to open the door of dialogue and engage in negotiations to achieve solutions that satisfy the desire of the people and protects the country against from sliding into chaos.

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April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The Transitional Military Council (TMC) on Friday has expressed readiness to form a civilian government and reduce the transitional period in agreement with the political forces.

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum, the head of the TMC political committee Omer Zain al-Abdin said the upcoming government would be “civilian”, pointing out that it would be formed by the consensus of the political forces.

He added the military wouldn't intervene in the formation of the government nor will it appoint any of its members, saying the armed forces would only maintain the defence and interior ministries in order to counter any security challenges.

He pointed that the TMC would consult with all political forces except the former ruling National Congress Party, saying the “TMC supports the demands of the people and seeks to arrange the peaceful transfer of power”.

“We are the protectors of the demands of the political entities and we wouldn't dictate anything on the people, we came for the sake of the protesters and we wouldn't allow chaos,” he said

“Our priority now is to maintain security and stability of the country and provide the services and to conduct political dialogue inside Sudan and abroad [i.e. with the international community]” added Zain al-Abdin

He pointed out that the Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf, the director of the National Intelligence and Security Services Salah Gosh, the Police Director Al-Tayeb Babiker and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Doglo have led the change despite being part of the former regime.

Zain al-Abdin has dismissed all accusations that the TMC is a puppet of the former ruling National Congress Party as mere “lies”, saying they are the sons of the armed forces.

He stressed that the TMC is open to discussions and consultations on reducing the transitional period, saying it could be reduced to one month if all political parties agreed to do so.

He expressed willingness to negotiate with the youth who are holding a mass sit-in in front of the military headquarters to listen to the views.

Commenting on the fate of the deposed president, Omer al-Bashir, Zain al-Abdin said he is being detained without giving further details, pointing the majority of the figures of the former regime have been arrested.

SPA REJECTS TMC OFFER

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) has rejected the offer of the TMC describing it as “absurd deception”.

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune, the SPA said: “what took place was nothing but changing of masks to maintain the same regime that the people sought to overthrow and uproot”.

“Our demands are clear, fair and legitimate, however, the old coupists in their new masks are not capable of making change and they only seek to cling to power regardless of the safety of the country, and that is why they wouldn't respond to the peaceful demands including the immediate handover of power to a transitional civilian government”.

The SPA underscored determination to resist the state of emergency and the curfew besides all restrictive orders issued by the coupists.

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April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Defence Minister General Awad Ibn Ouf has stepped down from his position as head of the Transition Military Council on Friday night and appointed a new general to replace him

Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

The announcement comes after his rejection by the Sudanese protesters led Sudanese Professional Association and its allies of the Freedom and Change forces 24 hours after the overthrow of the former

Ibn Ouf is seen as one of the Islamist generals in the army, also he was linked to the war crimes in Darfur.

In a statement broadcasted via the official TV and Radio stations on Friday evening Ibn Ouf 65, announced that he decided to resign from his position as head of the Transitional Military Council.

He also relieved his deputy and chief of the general staff Kamal Abdel-Marouf who is also was perceived as part of the regime of the former President Omer al-Bashir.

Also, Ibn Ouf announced the appointment of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a new head of the transitional military council.

Al-Burhan who is not an Islamist is widely accepted by the army. He served as the army's general inspector and commander of the ground forces.

Thousands of Sudanese took to the street in the night to express their joy for his resignation.

Ibn Ouf who is on the list of US sanctions for his alleged role in Darfur war crimes stated on Friday that al-Bashir would be handed over to the International Criminal Court increasing his unpopularity among the Sudanese.

The Sudanese Professionals Association called on the protesters to remain mobilized awaiting al-Burhan's position from the demands of the forces of the Freedom and Change Declaration.

The Sudanese opposition groups call for a peaceful transfer of power to the political forces.

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“Miraculously I had no machete marks” a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda told a solemn United Nations event in New York on Friday, 25 years on, to remember the systematic killing of more than one million people, over less than three months.

Sudan’s military has an “overarching duty” to refrain from using violence against protesters and ensure that their human rights are protected amid concerns of a further escalation, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Friday.

April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) -The opposition alliance Sudan Call has condemned the military coup in Sudan and accused the "Sudanese Islamic movement military wing" of seizing the power to reproduce the old regime.

The Sudanese defence minister Awad Ibn Ouf Thursday announced that the army has decided to overthrow President Omer al-Bashir and announced a number of decisions including procedural measures to ensure the security situation in Sudan.

However, he did not consult the opposition forces which have been behind the 4-month protests or speak about its role in the transitional period giving them the feeling that their efforts for change have been stolen.

"The takeover has preserved the political and economic structures of the old system, and the new junta has not provided any political solution to end the war, to effect democratic transformation, or a means of solving the economic crisis,". said Yasir Arman, Secretary of External Affairs of the Sudan Call.

" It is old wine in old bottles. For the sake of the Islamists, it is old milk in old bottles," he stressed.

The Sudanese opposition forces have been unanimous on its rejection of the military move as the Sudanese Professionals Association called on the disappointed protesters to remain mobilized outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.

Arman further underlined that the military coup has left untouched the National Congress Party of the unseated President Omer al-Bashir.

The coup "ignored completely the forces of freedom and change, who have led the revolution, and more importantly, they have ignored the demands of the Sudanese people for peace, democracy and equal citizenship," he stressed.

The African Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and the United States, as well as the United Nation, have reacted to the overthrow of President Omer al-Bashir by a military council headed by his First Vice President and Defence Minister.

While the African Union has condemned the move as unconstitutional, the United Nations called to ensure that the democratic aspiration of the Sudanese people will be realized through an appropriate and inclusive transition process.

Also, the United States decided to suspend a process aiming to remove Sudan from a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

"The U.S. government in the coming days will discuss the situation with government officials and a range of Sudanese stakeholders to encourage a democratic transition," further said the State Department on Thursday.

The Sudan Call welcomed the position taken by the African Union, the United Kingdom and the British Foreign Minister, and the United States and called for international pressure on the military junta.

"We appeal to all democratic and peace-loving countries and organizations and to the UN Security Council and its Permanent Members to support the demands of the Sudanese people for peace and democracy," said the statement.

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UN chief António Guterres said on Thursday that the “democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people” need to be realized through “an appropriate and inclusive transition process”, following the overthrow and arrest of President Omar al-Bashir by order of the country’s new military governing council.

April 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's opposition forces refused to deal with the military coup led by the defence minister on Thursday and urged the Sudanese to continue to sit-in the streets.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese were clearly frustrated when Awad bin Auf appeared on the TV screens as one of the perpetrators of the coup that toppled al-Bashir.

The streets of the Sudanese capital and a number of states were filled with huge waves of people after the announcement of the army's statement as thousands marched in the streets to express their joy of the expected change.

But, the protesters shouted everywhere, expressing their rejection of Ibn Ouf and considered the move as a hoax saying that the same faces they opposed to, are in the security committee headed by Ibn Ouf includes the security apparatus, the Rapid Support Forces and the police.

The head of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) Omer al-Degair, said that the statement read by the leader of the military coup is disappointing, and stressed his refusal to allow the "theft of the revolution".

He stressed that the statement is nothing but an attempt to re-produce the al-Bashir regime which must be dropped with all its organs and symbols.

"We reject the formation of the military council, and the leadership of the armed forces had to contact us to hear our point of view about the future (of Sudan) but they took their decision alone and therefore we reject on behalf of the people and we will remain on the streets," he said.

For its part, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) who coordinates the popular protests, also rejected the statement by the defence minister and called on the protesters to continue demonstrating until the "comprehensive change" is achieved.

In a statement released after Ibn Ouf statement, the SPA said that the authorities of the regime carried out "a military coup reproducing the faces and institutions against which the Sudanese people revolted."

"Those who destroyed the country and killed its people are trying to steal every drop of blood and sweat poured by the great Sudanese people in the revolution that shook the throne of tyranny."

A spokesman for the professionals said Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf had "interpreted a new representation" and that his statement preserved the presence of the Islamist in the Sudanese state.

"What happened was a new coup and an attempt to dodge," he said.

"The people will rebel against the authority of Ibn Ouf and any authority besieging his dreams."

The professionals further called on the Sudanese people to maintain their sit-in in front of the army headquarters and in the other states and to stay on the streets in all the cities of Sudan until the handover of power to a transitional government that reflects the revolutionary forces.

"There is no dialogue between the forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change and those who have now come to power," the SPA spokesperson said.

Other political forces rejected Ibn Ouf's statements saying it only means the continuation of the regime and its repressive apparatus under a new name.

"Awad Ibn Ouf's statement means the continuation of the rule of the Islamist generals, the security services and the militias, and the retaliation against the officers who sided with the people of the middle and small ranks," said the SPLM-N led by Malik Agar.

"At this pivotal stage in the history of the country, the SLA confirms that it will continue to fight for the overthrow of this regime. The movement will put all its resources into the hands of the revolution," said Minni Minnwi the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement.

" The Movement rejects the existence of the symbol of genocide at the head of the transitional government, whatever the justifications, and considers it a provocation to the feelings of the victims' families and a grave insult to the martyrs," said the Justice and Equality Movement of Gibril Ibrahim.

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April 11, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Defense Minister First Vice- President Awad Ibn Ouf overthrew President Omer al-Bashir and announced his arrest in a safe place.

On Thursday afternoon, Ibn Ouf read a military statement on behalf of the Supreme Security Committee, which includes the armed forces, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the police.

He said the Committee "decided to carry out what was not expected by the head of the regime and took full responsibility for changing the whole regime during a two-year transitional period," he said before to add that "the armed forces - with a limited representation of the components of that committee - will take is the responsibility of the state administration.

"I, the Minister of Defense, the head of the Supreme Security Committee, announces the uprooting of the regime and the arrest of its head in a safe place."

He explained that the Security Committee has been since the 6 April considering the alternatives and warned of the seriousness of the situation but they were faced by the Stubbornness and insistence on security solutions, without naming al-Bashir.

He added they had been convinced of the impossibility to implement such an option, pointing out that it would have caused significant losses.

Ibn Ouf made his speech after a long delay as it was announced since the early morning.

It came in a bid to end the over four-month protests demanding al-Bashir and his regime to step down.

Ibn Ouf further announced a number of measures including the formation of a Transitional Military Council to rule the country for a two-year transitional period.

The details of this government will be disclosed in a later statement, he said.

Also, he decided to suspend the Interim Constitution of 2005 and announced a three-month state of emergency and a one-month of curfew from 10 pm to 4 am.

He further decided the closure of the airspace for twenty-four hours.

Furthermore, he dissolved the government, the parliament and the presidential cabinet as well as the state governments and legislatures.

Ibn Ouf maintained the unilateral cease-fire throughout Sudan and announced the immediate release of all political prisoners, the creation of a conducive climate for the peaceful transfer of power, the building of political parties, the holding of free and fair elections at the end of the transitional period and the establishment of a permanent constitution.

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April 11, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan official and radio-television have interrupted their programmes and broadcast military announcing that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) will issue a communiqué soon.

Reports from Khartoum say the coup d'état has been carried out by the whole military institution including the defence minister and first vice-president Awad Ibn Ouf.

Also, armoured vehicles belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been seen deployed in the strategic positions of the capital.

The Sudanese Professionals Association which oversees the over-4 month protests across the country has called on the protesters to continue the big set-in outside the army headquarters until the identification of who is behind the coup.

The whereabouts of President Omer al-Bashir is not known. However, reports say he is at his home under the protection of the army.

A military telegram seen by Sudan Tribune released his morning informed the military commands outside the capital and in the different states that the army has taken power and will form a military council to manage the country.

Reliable Sources say the decision was taken to cut short preparations for another coup that had been underway by Islamist officers together with the NISS and the militia of the National Congress Party known as the Popular Security.

Al-Jazeera TV reported the arrest of Ali Osman Taha, former first vice-president and Ahmed Haroun the acting chairman of the National Congress Party along with other leading Islamist leaders.

Hundreds of protesters have continued to arrive at the headquarters of the army in Khartoum.

Calls for Vigilance

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which coordinates the four-month protest movement, called for vigilance and urged the Sudanese people to remain mobilized and to continue the sit-in outside army headquarters.

"At this moment, the country is waiting for the statement of the Armed Forces in response to your heroic struggle over the past four months. We say that we are at a crossroads; either a complete victory f your great struggles or a desperate attempt to reproduce the old regime,".

The SPA further recalled its demands: the stepping down of al-Bashir and his regime, handover of power to a transitional civilian government that reflects the components of the revolution and the full implementation of the declaration of freedom and change.

09.24

Sudanese are still waiting for the statement of the army leadership, while reports say some 150 politicians have been arrested from the NCP and its allied forces.

People continue to take to the street celebrating the fall of al-Bashir's regime despite uncertainties about the nature of the military coup.

11.28

Sudanese army raided the headquarters of the Islamic Movement in Khartoum.

The Sudanese people are still awaiting the statement of the army leadership among reports about the release of the political detainees including Mohamed Nagi Alsam, the SPA spokesperson.

The SPA issued a statement calling to avoid attacks on government and private property in Khartoum. The call comes after a video showing protesters raiding the house of Awad al-Jaz a former minister and presidential adviser.

12.03

Sudanese continue to take to the street, as thousands head to the headquarters of the army where protesters have been there for five days.

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