The African Union (AU) on Wednesday announced it had suspended the membership of unrest-hit Sudan.

In a press statement, the peace and security council of the AU said Sudan's membership has been suspended due to Monday's "unconstitutional change of government," which it said was an affront to the shared values and democratic norms of the continental body.

The statement said the AU has, in line with relevant instruments, decided to suspend, with immediate effect, the participation of the Republic of Sudan in all AU activities until the effective restoration of the civilian-led transitional authority.

The AU statement also said the continental body will undertake a mission to Sudan to engage with all stakeholders to find an amicable solution to the political stalemate in the country.

On Monday, General Commander of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency across the country, dissolved the transitional Sovereign Council and the government and relieved the state governors.

The decision was made hours after acting Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, members of the Transitional Sovereignty Council's civilian component and several ministers were arrested by joint military forces, Sudan's Ministry of Information and Communications said earlier in the day.

Since then, demonstrators have taken to the street in Khartoum, rejecting the measures announced by Al-Burhan and demanding a civilian government.

"The state of emergency will be canceled as soon as the institutions are formed," he said on Tuesday, adding that the internet and communication services would be restored once the media start reporting the truth.

Sudan suspended telephone and internet communications on Monday amid political unrest. Most of the internet communication systems in Sudan were restored on Tuesday afternoon. 

Abdalla Hamdok has returned to his residence with his wife under tight security, the prime minister's office said Tuesday on Facebook.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency closed-door meeting on the unrest in Sudan for Tuesday afternoon, according to the Associated Press. Council members are scheduled to discuss the disputed Abyei region on the Sudan-South Sudan border on Wednesday.

Sudan is in a 39-month transitional period and is ruled by a transitional government of military and civilian elements established after the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. The transitional period is set to be followed by elections to form a new government.

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(With input from agencies)