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Sudan interim leader steps down 1 day after coup

April 13, 2019 at 10:27 am

A screen grab captured from a video shows Awad Ibn Auf, Defense Minister of Sudan, announces his resignation in Khartoum, Sudan on 12 April 12 2019. [AA – Anadolu Agency]

The man who headed Sudan’s military coup has stepped down one day after ousting long term leader Omar Al-Bashir.

Sudan’s Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf said yesterday that he is stepping down as head of the country’s transitional military council.

Ibn Ouf said: “I, the head of the military council, announce I am giving up the post,” explaining he took the decision to preserve the unity of the armed forces.

Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan will be the new head of the transitional military council, Ibn Auf said in a speech broadcast on state television.

READ: Sudan military denies coup is a bid for power 

Thousands of jubilant protesters celebrated in the streets after Ibn Auf made the announcement.

This may not be enough to satisfy pro-democracy campaigners who have called for civilian government and widespread reforms but is being taken as a positive sign.

Ibn Auf was a controversial figure, blacklisted by Washington for his role as the army’s head of military intelligence and security during the Darfur conflict. He has been defence minister since 2015 and was promoted in February by Bashir to the role of first vice-president.