Sudanese military impose curfew hours after coup

President Omar al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan for 30 years, was overthrown in a military coup on Thursday (April 11), but protesters’ jubilation was short-lived as they took to the streets demanding military leaders hand over power to civilians.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators packed the streets of central Khartoum, their mood turning from celebration over Bashir’s expected departure to frustration at the announcement of the military-led transition.

Bashir, 75, had faced 16 weeks of demonstrations against his rule.Announcing the ouster, Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf said Sudan would enter a two-year period of military rule to be followed by presidential elections.

Ibn Auf announced a state of emergency, a nationwide ceasefire and the suspension of the constitution.Later in the day, a newsreader on state television said a curfew would be imposed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.