Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Mr Bashir made the announcement at the presidential palace in the capital, Khartoum

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has declared a national state of emergency, dismissed the federal government and sacked all state governors.

Mr Bashir made the announcement in a TV address to the nation, but later appointed members of the security forces as replacement governors.

Earlier, Sudan's National Security and Intelligence Services (NISS) said that Mr Bashir would be stepping down.

Mr Bashir has been the focus of anti-government protests in recent weeks.

Protesters took to the streets after the announcement in the city of Omdurman, witnesses said, but were met with tear gas by police.

In the address, Mr Bashir asked parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for another term.

Mr Bashir also said the demonstrations were an attempt to destabilise the country.

"I announce imposing a state of emergency across the country for one year," he said.

"I announce dissolving the government at the federal level and at the provincial levels."

Hours after the announcement, Mr Bashir issued two presidential decrees appointing army and security officers to govern the country's 18 provinces.

He also announced that five members of the outgoing cabinet, including the foreign, defence and justice ministers, would keep their jobs.

The demonstrations started over cuts to bread and fuel subsidies in December but later morphed into anger at Mr Bashir's 30-year rule.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Nationwide rallies have been calling for President Bashir to step down

More than 1,000 people are reported to have been detained since the protests began. Rights groups say more than 40 people have been killed in clashes with security forces.

Protest organisers have vowed to continue demonstrating until Mr Bashir leaves his post, AFP news agency reported.

Mr Bashir, 75, had initially struck a defiant tone after winning elections several times since coming to power in a coup in 1989.</s>Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday and dissolved the government, in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule of three decades.

"I announce imposing a state of emergency across the country for one year," Bashir said in a televised address to the nation.

"I announce dissolving the government at the federal level and at the provincial levels," he added.</s>Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has declared a year-long state of emergency, dissolving his cabinet and local governments throughout the country.

Omar al-Bashir in a televised address called on Sudan’s parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for another term in a presidential election in 2020.

Omar al-Bashir’s term ends in 2020 and he has repeatedly promised over the years not to make new runs for the presidency.

Since December 2018, various areas in Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, have been witnessing popular protests over the deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic commodities.</s>Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has declared a year-long state of emergency, dissolving his cabinet and local governments throughout the country.

In a televised address on Friday, Bashir also called on Sudan's parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for another term in a presidential election in 2020.

Acknowledging the popular protests that have rocked his administration in recent months, the 75-year-old said the "demands of our people for better living conditions are lawful".

"I will not stop calling for all parties to sit at the dialogue table," Bashir said, adding he would remain on the "side of the youth who represent the future of Sudan".

Bashir's announcement on Friday followed months of nearly daily protests against his rule, with thousands of people taking to the streets across the country since December 19 to call for him to stand down after nearly three decades in office.

While the protests were initially set off by the rising cost of bread and fuel in the north of Sudan, they quickly grew into a demand for more political freedoms and an end to Bashir's rule.

The demonstrations continued on Friday in the hours before Bashir's speech.

Security forces fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who marched and chanted anti-government slogans following Friday prayers at a major mosque near the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, eyewitnesses said.

Activists say nearly 60 people have been killed since the protests began, while authorities put the death toll at 31.

Hundreds of protesters, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists have also been jailed by the widely-feared National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

Al Jazeera's Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said it would likely become increasingly difficult for protesters to continue their demonstrations as the state of emergency kicks in.

"As per Sudan's constitution, the state of emergency gives the police, the security forces and the military the right to search without warrant, to raid houses and arrest anybody they deem a threat to the country's national security and economic development and stability," Morgan said.

"Bashir also said that those protesting have been infiltrated by agents with foreign agendas and that they are people who want to destabilise the country. With that being said and with the state of emergency in place, it is likely that more force will be used against protesters," she added.

Organisers of anti-government protests across Sudan vowed to press on with their demonstrations until Bashir steps down, however.

"We are calling on our people to continue with demonstrations until the main aim of this uprising, which is the stepping down of the regime chief, is achieved," said the Sudanese Professionals Association, which is spearheading the campaign, just after Bashir announced a state of emergency across the country.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court over charges of masterminding genocide in the Darfur region, which he denies. He has been lobbying for Sudan to be removed from a list of countries Washington deems state sponsors of terrorism.

The listing has blocked the investment and financial aid that Sudan was hoping for when the United States lifted sanctions in 2017, economists say.

Sudan has been rapidly expanding its money supply in an attempt to finance its budget deficit, causing spiralling inflation and a steep decline in the value of its currency.</s>Protesters accuse the government of mismanaging their economy and call on President Omar al-Bashir to step down

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday, February 22 and dissolved the government in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule.

Deadly protests have broken out across the east African country since the government tripled the price of bread on December 19, with demonstrators accusing the government of mismanaging the nation's economy and calling on the veteran leader to step down.

"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.

Protest organizers vowed to press on with their demonstrations until Bashir steps down.

"We are calling on our people to continue with demonstrations until the main aim of this uprising, which is the stepping down of the regime chief, is achieved," said the Sudanese Professionals Association which is spearheading the campaign, just after Bashir announced a state of emergency.

Late on Friday, crowds of protesters took to the streets in Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum, but were quickly confronted with tear gas by riot police, witnesses said.

Hours after he made his announcements, Bashir issued two presidential decrees appointing 16 army officers and two security officers as new governors for the country's 18 provinces.

He also announced that 5 members of the outgoing cabinet, including ministers for foreign affairs, defense and justice, would retain their portfolios.

Bashir has remained defiant in the face of demonstrations, dismissing protesters' calls for him to step down after 3 decades in power.

Demonstrations first erupted in the farming town of Atbara but the rallies swiftly mushroomed into a major challenge to Bashir's rule.

Officials say 31 people have died in the violence while Human Rights Watch says at least 51 people have been killed including medics and children.

The country's feared National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) has launched a sweeping crackdown to quell the protests, jailing hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders, activists, and journalists.

Bashir, 75, swept to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989 that overthrew the elected government of then premier Sadiq al-Mahdi.

It is not the first time Bashir has imposed a nationwide emergency. He did so in December 1999 when a political crisis erupted after he broke away with his then mentor Islamist Hassan al-Turabi.

On Friday, he said he had asked to postpone meetings of a parliamentary panel that was set up to look into amending the country's constitution to allow a 3rd presidential term. He did not elaborate.

Bashir is considering running for a 3rd term after he was chosen as a candidate by his ruling National Congress Party for the election due next year.

Sudan's financial woes were long a cause of popular frustration before the anger spilt onto the streets after the bread price hike.

Soaring inflation along with acute foreign currency shortages have battered the economy, especially after the independence of South Sudan in 2011 took away the bulk of oil earnings.

"Our country is suffering from a difficult and complicated situation, the most difficult in its history," said Bashir, dressed in a turban and traditional Sudanese robe, in front of a group of advisers and outgoing ministers.

"The economic issue needs to be tackled by qualified people and for this I will form a government made of people of quality," he said.

The protest campaign has emerged as the biggest challenge the veteran leader has faced.

From the provinces to the streets of the capital, the demonstrations have spread through villages, towns and cities across the country.

They have drawn in a cross section of society including middle-class professionals, agricultural laborers, youths and Bashir's political opponents – with thousands of women and men rallying across the country on some days.

Only the 3 conflict zones of Darfur, Blue Nile, and South Kordofan have remained largely untouched.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court to face charges of war crimes and genocide arising out of the long-running conflict in Darfur. He denies the charges.

Protest organizers have called on political groups to join their movement by signing a "Document for Freedom and Change."

The text outlines a post-Bashir plan including rebuilding Sudan's justice system and halting the country's dire economic decline, the key reason for the nationwide demonstrations.

Bashir has countered the anti-government demonstrations with his own rallies, promising economic development and promoting peace. – Rappler.com</s>Ashraf Shazly, AFP | Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (2nd-L) addresses members of the Popular Defence Force (PDF), in the capital Khartoum on February 12, 2019.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday and dissolved the government, in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule of three decades.

“I announce imposing a state of emergency across the country for one year,” Bashir said in a televised address to the nation.

“I announce dissolving the government at the federal level and at the provincial levels,” he added.

Deadly protests have rocked the east African country since December 19, with demonstrators accusing the government of mismanaging the nation’s economy and calling on the veteran leader to step down.

Chanting “freedom, peace, justice,” protesters took to the streets after the government tripled the price of bread.

Demonstrations first erupted in the farming town of Atbara, but the rallies swiftly mushroomed into a major challenge to Bashir’s rule stretching back three decades.

Officials say 31 people have died in the protest-related violence, while Human Rights Watch says at least 51 people have been killed including medics and children.

The country’s feared National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) have launched a sweeping crackdown to quell the protests, jailing hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists.

Bashir, 75, swept to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989 that overthrew the elected government of then premier Sadiq al-Mahdi.

He has remained defiant in the face of protests, insisting that the only way the government can be changed is through the ballot box.

He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court to face charges of war crimes and genocide arising out of the long-running conflict in Darfur.</s>KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, facing the country’s biggest popular protests since he came to power 30 years ago, declared a one-year state of emergency on Friday and called on parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in a 2020 presidential election.

In a televised speech, Bashir said he would dissolve the central government as well as state governments.

“Firm economic measures should be taken in a new government,” Bashir said, adding that he would assign that task to a qualified team.

He also addressed the opposition. “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 dialog regarding the current issues of our country.”

In a subsequent decree, Bashir set up a caretaker administration comprising a senior official from each ministry, but kept the defense, foreign and justice ministers in place.

The anti-government demonstrations began Dec. 19, triggered by price increases 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 Reuters witness said. Police there fired tear gas and chased protesters through small streets.

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.

“(T)he 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.

Two weeks before the protests broke out, a majority of lawmakers had backed proposed amendments to the constitution that would allow Bashir to run for another term. But last Saturday, the parliamentary committee tasked with amending the constitution said it would indefinitely postpone a meeting to draft these changes.

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

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, an Islamist and former army officer, came to power in 1989 after a military coup. He won elections in 2010 and 2015 after changes in the constitution following a peace agreement with southern rebels, who then seceded to form South Sudan.

Bashir had previously blamed the protests on foreign “agents,” and challenged his rivals to seek power through the ballot box. He had shown no sign that he was prepared to concede any power.

But earlier this month he softened his tone dramatically, saying the protesters are mostly young people with poor prospects.

Even then Bashir warned against destabilizing the Sudanese state, saying, “You can look at what happened in Libya”, which has been in a state of turmoil since a 2011 civil war led to the overthrow of long-standing dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Activists say nearly 60 people have been killed during the protests, while authorities put the death toll at 32, including three security personnel.

Security forces have used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protesters, and have made hundreds of arrests, including of opposition party members, activists and journalists.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court over charges of masterminding genocide in the Darfur region, which he denies. He has been lobbying for Sudan to be removed from a list of countries which Washington deems state sponsors of terrorism.
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Additional reporting by Hesham Hajali; writing by Lena Masri; editing by William Maclean, G Crosse and Leslie Adler.</s>Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has declared a state of emergency for a year, disbanded the federal government and replaced all state governors with senior army officers.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has declared a state of emergency for a year, disbanded the federal government and replaced all state governors with senior army officers.

Mr Al-Bashir — who seized power in a 1989 coup — also said that he will postpone pushing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek a third term in office.

Facing genocide charges, Mr al-Bashir’s rule has been rocked by civil wars and increasing street demonstrations.

A heavy security crackdown has left scores of protesters dead. At least 57 people have been killed since December.

“Our country is passing through a difficult and complicated phase in our national history,” Mr al-Bashir said in a speech aired live from the presidential palace in Khartoum.

“We will get out of it stronger and more united and determined.”

In a rare acknowledgement, Mr al-Bashir described the demands of the protesters as “legitimate”, but said there are attempts to exploit the youth protests “to take the country to the unknown”.

The state of emergency will give the security forces a free hand in cracking down on protesters and carrying out detentions, and places heavier restrictions on the press and opposition parties.

The announcements were instantly met with street demonstrations, demanding the longtime president to step down. Witnesses said riot police fired tear gas and arrested a number of protesters.

Sudan has been gripped by nationwide protests since December 19. The demonstrations, which show no sign of abating, were triggered by rising prices and shortages but quickly turned to calls for Mr al-Bashir to step down.

Mr Al-Bashir’s term ends in 2020 and he has repeatedly promised over the years not to make new runs for the presidency. Without amending the constitutions, he cannot run for a third term.

His announcement came days after a parliamentary committee tasked with amending the constitution to scrap presidential term limit cancelled its meetings.

The Sudanese Professional Association, which is spearheading the country’s demonstrations, warned of any measures that could “turn against” the demands of the Sudanese people, and vowed that it will respond with more escalation in street protests.

“The demands of this revolution are crystal clear,” the statement said, “the regime and its head must step down.”

However, Mr al-Bashir warned the opposition of the “zero-sum” game that creates chaos, pointing to a wave of the Arab Spring uprisings that led to civil wars in countries like Libya and Yemen.</s>Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, facing the country's biggest popular protests since he came to power 30 years ago, declared a one-year state of emergency on Friday and called on parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in a 2020 presidential election.

In a televised speech, Bashir said he would dissolve the central government as well as state governments.

"Firm economic measures should be taken in a new government", Bashir said, adding that he would assign that task to a qualified team.

He also addressed the opposition. "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".

In a subsequent decree, Bashir set up a caretaker administration comprising a senior official from each ministry, but kept the defense, foreign and justice ministers in place.</s>CAIRO >> Sudans President Omar al-Bashir today declared a state of emergency for a year and disbanded the government amid deadly protests.

CAIRO >> Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir today declared a state of emergency for a year and disbanded the government amid deadly protests.

Al-Bashir — who seized power in a 1989 coup— also said that he will postpone pushing for constitutional amendments to allow him to seek a third term in office.

Facing genocide charges, al-Bashir’s rule has been rocked by civil wars and increasing street demonstrations. A heavy security crackdown has left scores of protesters dead. At least 57 people have been killed since December.

“Our country is passing through a difficult and complicated phase in our national history,” al-Bashir said in a speech aired live from the presidential palace in Khartoum. “We will get out of it stronger and more united and determined.”

The state of emergency will give the security forces a free hand in cracking down on protesters and carrying out detentions, and places heavier restrictions on the press and opposition parties.

Sudan has been gripped by nationwide protests since Dec. 19. The demonstrations, which show no sign of abating, were triggered by rising prices and shortages but quickly turned to calls for al-Bashir to step down.

Al-Bashir’s term ends in 2020 and he has repeatedly promised over the years not to make new runs for the presidency. Without amending the constitutions, he can’t run for a third term.

His announcement came days after a parliamentary committee tasked with amending the constitution to scrap presidential term limit canceled its meetings.

The Sudanese Professional Association, which is spearheading the country’s demonstrations, warned of any measures that could “turn against” the demands of the Sudanese people, and vowed that it will respond with more escalation in street protests.

“The demands of this revolution are crystal clear,” the statement said, “the regime and its head must step down.”

However, al-Bashir warned the opposition of the “zero-sum” game that creates chaos, pointing to a wave of the Arab Spring uprisings that led to civil wars in countries like Libya and Yemen.

As he was speaking in the presidential palace in Khartoum and in other districts, dozens of protesters were already taking to the streets chanting, “just fall.”
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declares a year-long state of emergency, dissolves his Cabinet and sacks all state governors amid ongoing anti-government protests.