After months of protests, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has been removed from the office he held for 30 years.
The New York Times reports the totalitarian leader was ousted Thursday and taken into custody by military authorities. Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf has since suspended the nation's constitution issuing a 10 p.m. curfew for citizens while the government is in transition.
For nearly two years, Sudanese citizens took to the streets in protest demanding al-Bashir step down. Despite mounting economic woes, the 75-year-old, who rose to power in 1985 following a civil war, remained president.
Rising food and fuel prices, humanitarian violations in Darfur and al-Bashir's dedication to suppressing free speech made him a pariah in the West. It also made his people despise him.
He is the longest-serving ruler in the East African nation since Sudan gained independence in 1956.
Scores of protesters gathered at the country's capital of Khartoum shouting: “You’ve been dancing for 30 years. Today it’s our turn to dance.”
Earlier this week, images and videos vividly capturing the uproar in the nation's streets went viral.
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CNN reports the military will stay in power for a two-year period. Four security officials reportedly arrived at al-Bashir's home in the early hours of Thursday morning demanding he relinquish power.
Along with al-Bashir, Prime Minister Mohamed Taher Ayala and the head of the ruling National Congress Party, Ahmed Haroun, were arrested in the military coup. Dozens of other loyal officials to al-Bashir were taken into custody, as well.
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir forced to resign and "is being held in a secure place", defence minister confirms in live television address
Live updates: https://t.co/1nkPqYLDEe
pic.twitter.com/QmZ5YaYyPw— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 11, 2019
Sudan's president has stepped down and is under house arrest, sources tell CNN. The end of his 30-year reign is triggering celebrations
“What they want, one person said to me, is what everybody wants: ‘We want freedom’”@NimaCNN with the breaking details https://t.co/dsh2rGd8zE
pic.twitter.com/8wQZ1oQ97M— CNN (@CNN) April 11, 2019
While many Sudanese citizens celebrate, Sara Abdelgalil, a spokeswoman for the Sudanese Professionals Association, is unsure of what a military regime means for her nation.
“We have asked for people to continue the sit-in,” she told The Times, referring to sit-in protests carried out by the nation's professionals. “The uprising continues.”
The protests will continue until a democratic regime is put into place.
“We insist on a civil government, and we don’t support any coup.”
Couldn’t be prouder of my country right now???????????????????????????????? . This is only the start alhamdulilah!!!!! #SudanProtests
#Sudan_Uprising
pic.twitter.com/0Rq11lnqOh— Sandy X (@sands_xx) April 11, 2019
Military officials have also released the political detainees held in prison under al-Bashir's presidency.
DAD is FREE! Thank you for the support
He is over the moon. Not cus he is free but cus Sudan is free. He was an exile for 20 years missing his mum's funeral, they tried to kill him n repeatedly locked him up. He sacrificed so much for this day.
Enjoy ya baba 2day we celebrate???? pic.twitter.com/NM14DS5YBm— Ahmed Kaballo (@AhmedKaballo) April 11, 2019
As of this report, the nation is still adjusting to the recent developments.
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