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A Sudanese man celebrating the fall of the Bashir regime. DPA/PA Images

Explainer: What's happening in Sudan?

The country’s president Omar-al-Bashir was removed from power and detained by the army yesterday.

AFTER THREE DECADES in power, Sudan’s president Omar-al-Bashir was ousted yesterday following months of protests by the country’s citizens.

Speaking on State television yesterday, Defence Minister Awad Ibnouf announced Bashir had been removed from power and detained by the army.

“I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place,” he said.

The overall official death toll in anti-government demonstrations over the last five months is 49. 

How did it all start?

Hundreds of people took to the streets in central Atbara and other Sudanese cities on 19 December to protest the tripling of bread prices. Some chanted “No to hunger” and in Atbara they set fire to the headquarters of Bashir’s National Congress Party (NCP).

These protests began on the same day the main opposition leader – ex prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi – returned from exile. He had been driven out in Bashir’s military coup in 1989. 

The protests spread to Khartoum and other cities the next day. Clashes broke out as police tried to disperse the crowds and eight demonstrators were killed.

Other NCP offices were torched and troops were deployed in a number of cities, including Khartoum. 

On the sixth day of protests – Christmas Eve – Bashir broke his silence and vowed there would be “real reforms”. 

Bashir in power

Bashir has ruled the country since he took power in a military coup against the democratically elected government in Sudan 30 years ago. 

In 2003, he sent troops and militia to crush a rebellion in the western region of Darfur. The conflict claimed more than 300,000 lives according to the UN. 

The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest in 2009 on war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The following year it issued a warrant for genocide. 

Bashir has denied all the charges. 

Files - Sudan's Omar al-Bashir Forced Out In Coup Bashir had been in power for 30 years. Depo Photos / ABACA Depo Photos / ABACA / ABACA

In 2010 he was elected president in the first multiparty election since he took power in the coup. This election was boycotted by the opposition.

Three years later dozens of people were killed in demonstrations against his government after a hike in petrol prices. 

He was again election in 2015. 

Call for a new regime

On 1 January this year, 22 political groups in Sudan issued a joint call for a new regime. 

Four days later Bashir sacked his health minister over rising costs of medicine and on 9 January thousands chanted support for the country’s leader at a rally in Khartoum.

However there were further deaths of demonstrators as anti-government protests continued in the city of Odurmann. 

On 13 January, protests spread further to the war-torn region of Darfur. Bashir tells supporters there: “Demonstrations will not change the government.”

Xinhua News Agency / PA Images Xinhua News Agency / PA Images / PA Images

Emergency rule

In February, Human Rights Watch released videos documenting violence by security forces against protesters including live fire, tear gas and beatings.

Bashir declared a nationwide year-long state of emergency on February 22. He also dissolved the federal and provincial governments and appointed army and intelligence officers as provincial governors.

Two days later, he swore in a new prime minister as riot police confronted hundreds calling for him to resign. On March 1, Bashir handed his powers as chief of the ruling NCP to his deputy.

After this the protests became less regular but on 6 April thousands again marched in Khartoum, gathering for the first time outside the military headquarters chanting “One army, one people”. 

They set up camp at the complex, which also houses the president’s residence, and defied attempts by police to dislodge the sit-in with tear gas and gunshots into the air.

On 9 April, police followed the policy of non-intervention by the military and ordered their forces not to take any further action against the demonstrators. 

Two days later, Defence Minister Awad Ibnouf made his statement about Bashir being removed from power. 

DPA / PA Images DPA / PA Images / PA Images

What happened next?

Ibnouf said a transitionary military council would replace the president for two years. Before the end of the transitional period, he said “fair elections” would be held.

However activists are demanding that power be handed to a civilian government. Protesters have defied a night-time curfew and dismissed the military council that took over as “the same old faces” from Bashir’s regime. 

DPA / PA Images DPA / PA Images / PA Images

Most shops and offices closed today, as Friday is a day of prayer and rest in Sudan. But large crowds are expected to throng into the streets of Kartoum and its twin city Odurman after noon prayers. 

The US has called on the military council “to exercise restraint and to allow space for civilian participation within the government”.

The European Union urged the army to carry out a “swift” handover to civilian rule.

Sudan Crowds celebrating in Khartoum yesterday. AP / PA Images AP / PA Images / PA Images

Protesters last night were seen chatting with soldiers. They said their quarrel was with the commanders who had led the coup, not the rank-and-file.

“There was no difference between last night and previous days and nights for us,” said one protester.

“This is now our square. We have taken it and won’t leave until victory is achieved.

“We broke the curfew. We will continue doing it until we have a civilian transitional government.”

- With reporting from AFP.

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    Mute Noel O Mahony
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    Oct 4th 2017, 9:56 PM

    Id say if trump cured cancer people would still have something negative to say about him…give the man a break…

    180
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:02 PM

    @Noel O Mahony: what has he done to deserve a break?

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    Mute B9xiRspG
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:04 PM

    @Noel O Mahony: we would but then he wakes up and tweets something really stupid

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:16 PM

    @B9xiRspG: We get it jim , hes stupid , now can we look at why jeremy corbyn won’t denounce venezuela.

    31
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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:17 PM

    @Ladude: because he’s stupid?

    18
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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:19 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Corbyn is pretty smart , just like trump

    11
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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:41 PM

    @Ladude: ha, good one, I see what you did there. Anybody that claims victory while losing is not that bright. Anybody can promise students the world knowing he’ll never be in a position to even attempt to grant it to them

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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:02 PM

    Best President since Ronnie Regan.

    58
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    Mute Ollie Mac
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    Oct 5th 2017, 6:54 AM

    @Joe Caulfield: You should try to catch one of his bog rolls that he throws around..

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Oct 4th 2017, 9:50 PM

    In fairness to old man Donald, he gets around fairly quick to all these disasters. I wonder though, while travelling, does he ever reflect and wonder if he could have had, or have in the. future, influence on all these things happening.

    48
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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Oct 4th 2017, 9:56 PM

    @Brown Boots: I thought he didn’t believe man-made climate change

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:13 PM

    @Brown Boots: In ireland we have had fathers kill their whole family’s, could this have been prevented maybe, but most cases it goes undetected. America is a big big place, and from what I can tell, if someone wants to do something, they will!!

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    Mute Bridget O'Hanlon
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:16 PM

    @Brown Boots: trump? Reflect? Nah

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:36 PM

    @Ladude: to be fair and balanced, it’s not just fathers who have done such. Anyway… Back to the point, yes it’s impossible to control everyone and stop such things as the whole Vegas shootings, however, just like everything in life, perhaps there is something to learn from it and something we could’ve done differently to prevent it, not just Trump, only saying him due to his level of influence. How did it get to that… Not just for this instance, but many others. Impossible to please everyone, but, there’s always something we can do better… Much like the second time I read this, I’ll know I could’ve made more sense than this!

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:48 PM

    @Brown Boots: Man kills people in horrific attack in america “Europeans crying out for gun ban” Islamic terrorist attacks in Europe multiple times this year alone “We need to be more tolerant” I give up.

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:50 PM

    @Brown Boots: I really don’t want to get into the gun debate, because here in Europe we have serious problems. We as people need to start asking honest questions, I believe theirs going to be a point where it’s going to be too late.

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:54 PM

    @Ladude: did I mention guns? I don’t disagree with your points, much the same we can ask all of us, is there anything we could have done differently in certain situations and what will we learn for next time, some have more influence on change in a global context.

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:03 PM

    @Brown Boots: I’m talking more in general about guns, I’ve mentioned the American shooting to a few people in work today, and they mentioned gun control stright away. Most of them just blurt out the frist thing they think of. These things require research, and investigating to come to an informed opinion. The same is happening with Europe atm, they just Base their opinion on what they think is right, but it’s far more complicated than that. And it’s going to cause long lasting damage as we are starting to see.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:23 PM

    @Ladude: you’re right, immediately after a mass shooting isn’t the time to think of ways to prevent shootings. Just like immediately after a plane crash isn’t the time to think about airplane safety, or immediately after a four day bender isn’t the right time to think about never drinking again. You have to wait until you’ve locked that feeling away in a box somewhere and can’t remember it to actually decide, possibly during a bender that it’s all good.

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:46 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Let the Americans worry about their gun laws, not sure what its got to do with Europeans. More people have talked about this shooting than any of the killings in Europe. Why ?

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:49 PM

    @Ladude: did you say the same on Trump articles where he talked about attacks in Europe? Before you answer remember that all we have to do is look them up. Specifically his comments about a certain mayor in the UK.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:50 PM

    @Ladude: also, me might as well talk about it because you can be damn sure the American government won’t

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:54 PM

    @Ladude: and also Europe’s population is double that of the US. There are more gun homicides in the US than there are “these killings in Europe” each year.

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 5th 2017, 12:36 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe: And your point ?

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Oct 5th 2017, 5:19 AM

    @Ladude: completely missed the point I was trying to make but anyway… I’m not bothered to go back to it…

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 5th 2017, 7:43 AM

    @Ladude: there were several. Which are you not getting?

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Oct 4th 2017, 9:50 PM

    He just keeps getting the tone wrong every single time. Moron is right.

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    Mute JimmyMc
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:45 PM

    @Dermot Lane: it really doesn’t matter what tone he takes. People who have achieved absolutely nothing and created little more than a twitter account in their life will still call the billionaire who outflanked the establishment to become US president a moron.

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    Mute Gus McIntosh
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    Oct 5th 2017, 5:57 AM

    I’d say the tone is very important. He upped the stakes when he took office and he seems to finally be understanding that this is a role that requires a huge amount of empathy and tact. Not easy for a natural narcissist.

    Unfortunately his words and behaviour that go before just make his performances of the “caring president” seem disingenuous. A difficult man to like has to do a damn good job to win people over, so he has his work cut out, no doubt!

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    Mute Brian O Reilly
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:11 PM

    If the USA ,is so adamant in keeping the second amendment,which allows the right to bear arms ,then it should be the firearms that where available at the time of writing the Constitution That would satisfy the NRA ,and cut down on the fatalities when some middle aged white guy goes berserk,he’d soon get pissed off reloading his flintlock musket.There problem solved

    18
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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:21 PM

    Trump on the brain , but keep them coming, let the intellectuals on here give their intellectual opinions of him which are usally “stupid” “moron” “How can this man be president” etc… Thats the sort of level of intellectual criticism they give. Hardly substantial.

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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:28 PM

    @Ladude: Indeed. The Puerile. ie would be a more appropriate name for this site.

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    Mute Ladude
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:41 PM

    @Joe Caulfield: I really think the journal is responsible for creating a political divide, by not reporting on many issues broadly and fairly. The level of journalism is just lazy and unimagitive. Of course I know they are a left leaning news outlet. But more intresting spins on the same stories would be refreshing and people might learn something instead of being in a echo chamber.

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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:58 PM

    @Ladude: Perish the thought.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:47 PM

    @Ladude: he did well. An A performance. Change professionalism to heroism and it’s an A+

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    Mute stefanovich
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    Oct 5th 2017, 6:04 AM

    @Ladude: They should be forced to read the Spectator for homework.

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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Oct 4th 2017, 10:42 PM

    Unless they are trans and/or Mexican

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    Mute Rachel Hororwitz
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    Oct 5th 2017, 10:30 AM

    I really don’t understand the media reaction to this terrible massacre.

    They’re wondering about the motive?

    It’s a mystery?????

    It’s an attack by a leftist, anti-immigration, Trump hater.

    The attack was on a country music concert.

    The people at country music concerts are predominantly white and conservative.

    I looked at the shooters facebook page soon after the murders.

    He was a democrat supporting, anti-immigration leftist.

    If a conservative person had shot up a rap concert and killed 59 black people in Detroit or Chicago, or attacked a meeting of the democrat party, or massacred left-wing antifa protestors, like those who were at the Charlotteville rally a few weeks ago, the media would have gone insane.

    Why isn’t this reported properly?

    The lying media….

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    Mute David Cagney
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    Oct 4th 2017, 11:54 PM

    Yawn, america, don’t live there, don’t want to. It’s a Kinehin state, let them all kill each other. Pass the kitchen roll and praise the lord…

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    Mute Frederic Slimane
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    Oct 6th 2017, 8:57 PM

    has he been using air force 1?i thought he said he would use his own private jet??

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