Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir steps down - Minister

A Sudanese government source says President Omar al-Bashir has stepped down and that consultations are underway to form a transitional council.

Adel Mahjoub Hussein, the Sudanese minister of production and economic resources in North Darfur, told the Dubai-based al-Hadath TV on Thursday that, “There are consultations to form a military council to take over power after President Bashir stepped down.”

The announcement brought thousands of Sudanese to the center of the capital, Khartoum, cheering in jubilation and chanting anti-Bashir slogans.

Organizers had also arranged for protesters to gather outside the Defense Ministry, where people chanted, “It has fallen, we won,” in an apparent reference to Bashir’s government.

Reports said that Bashir was at the presidential residence and under “heavy guard.”

Military to make ‘important’ statement soon

Sudan’s military has said it will make an “important” statement soon. Troops are deployed to key roads and bridges in Khartoum, amid speculation that a coup attempt could be underway against the embattled president after months of anti-government protests across the Northeast African country.

“The armed forces will present an important statement shortly. Be ready for it,” a short notice on state television read, without giving further details.

(This item is being updated.)