Amid a wave of protests, the head of Sudan’s military council has stepped down after leading a coup that brought down long-time leader Omar al-Bashir.
Lt Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan was named a successor by Mr Awad Ibn Auf as he announced on state TV his decision to step down.
However, the protesters have still refused to leave the streets. They still believe that the coup leaders were too close to Bashir and they fear that they will still be ruled by the same circle.
The army has said it will stay in power for two years, then elections will follow after that.
Mr Bashir’s downfall followed months of protests that began in December resulting from rising prices in the rate of things.
During the Darfur conflict in the 2000s, Mr Awad Ibn Auf was the head of the military intelligence and the US imposed sanctions on him around the year 2007.
“It fell again,” protesters in Khartoum chanted as thousands of people celebrated his departure.
“Awad Ibn Auf’s decision to step down is our victory,” The Sudan Professionals Association and initiators of the protests.
And before they return home, demands are being made by them to transition to civilian rule.
James Copnall (@JAMESCOPNALL)
“From what I’m told, Burhan seen as respected in the army and as less Islamist than, say, Ibn Auf.”
8:17 PM – Apr 12, 2019
The new man in charge is also a top military figure, however, the Associated Press news agency has reported that his record is way cleaner than other Sudanese generals. He is also said to have already met with protesters to hear their views.
And on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the Darfur conflict, Mr Bashir has been punished by the International Criminal Court (ICC).