Sudan's Bashir declares state of emergency, dissolves government

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Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Friday declared a one-year nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the government in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations. Early on Saturday, he appointed a new prime minister but left the country's current defense, foreign and justice ministers in place.

"I announce imposing a state of emergency across the country for one year," Bashir said in a televised address to the nation from the presidential palace in Khartoum. "I announce dissolving the government at the federal level and at the provincial levels," he added.

Sudan police confront protesters as Bashir rejects accusations

Bashir also appointed new state governors who were all from the military just hours after his announcement, according to a presidential statement.

Facing the country's biggest popular protests since he came to power 30 years ago, he also called on the parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in a 2020 presidential election.

He also encouraged the opposition to "move forward," and engage in a dialogue. "I extend a sincere invitation to the opposition forces, who are still outside the path of national reconciliation... to move forward and engage in the dialogue regarding the current issues of our country."

The anti-government demonstrations began on December 19, triggered by price rise and cash shortages, but quickly developed into protests against Bashir's rule.

After Bashir's speech, angry protesters in the city of Omdurman chanted "Freedom!", and set fire to tires while others blocked a main road, a witness said. Police there fired tear gas and chased protesters through small streets.

Opposition wants more protests

The National Consensus Forces, one of Sudan's main opposition groups, said the response to Bashir's declaration of a state of emergency should be more protests.

"The regime declared a state of emergency to counter our popular revolution, which will not stop, God willing, before we achieve our goals and topple the regime," the group said in a statement.

Ahead of Bashir's speech, security forces fired tear gas to disperse at least 200 protesters in the capital, Khartoum, eyewitnesses said.

Sara Najdullah (3rd L), general secretary of Umma Party, the main opposition party in Sudan supporting anti-government protests, addresses a press conference with other protest campaigners in the capital Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, February 13, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the main protest organizer, issued a call for additional demonstrations. "The demands of this revolution are clear... foremost that this regime and its head step aside, including its repressive institutions," the SPA said in a statement.

Bashir won elections in 2010 and 2015 after changes in the constitution following a peace agreement with southern rebels.

He had previously blamed the protests on foreign "agents" and challenged his rivals to seek power through the ballot box, but he softened his tone dramatically earlier this month, saying the protesters are mostly young people with poor prospects.

(Cover: Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir delivers a speech at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, Sudan, February 22, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters