Sudan Reacts to the Ousting of Omar al-Bashir and the Announcement of a Military Takeover
While the removal of al-Bashir is being seen as a victory of the people, protestors are rejecting the military's announcement of a two-year takeover.
Omar al-Bashir, the longstanding dictator of Sudan, was ousted and arrested in a military takeover this morning.
The country's Defense Minister, General Mohammed Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf took to national television this morning, announcing that the army would oversee a "two year transition" period with elections to follow, as BBC Africa reports. He also called for a three-month state of emergency, 24-hour airspace ban, as well as for the scrapping of the country's 2005 constitution.
While al-Bashir's removal is being celebrated as a victory spearheaded by the Sudanese people, who have led months-long protests to see him removed, many are discontent with the news announcement of the military takeover. Reem Abass, a journalist on the ground in Khartoum, told the BBC that the Defense Minister's message "did not resonate with people" and demonstrations will likely continue.
Many protests groups and leaders have outright rejected the military transition, calling, instead, for a transitional civilian government, reports Reuters. The military takeover is being referred to as a "recycling" of old leaders.
"The people do not want a transitional military council," wrote Alaa Salah the 22-year-old student who has become a face of the movement, as a result of a viral image. "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," she added.
Several others online, have expressed similar skepticism of a military-led transition.
The removal of al-Bashir, who maintained power for 30 years, is still being celebrated as a testament to the strong will and determination of the Sudanese people, who are proving that their immense efforts to restore effective leadership in their country will continue.
