Sudan coup leader steps down after a day



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The head of Sudan's military council has been a leader in the past, and has been a leader in Omar al-Bashir.

Defense Minister Awad Ibn Auf announced his decision on the TV state, naming as his successor Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan.

The army has said it will be in power for two years, followed by elections.

But protest leaders say they will not leave the streets until the military hands over to a civilian government.

Mr Bashir's downfall followed by a few months ago.

Mr Ibn Auf was head of military intelligence during the Darfur conflict in the 2000s. The US imposed sanctions on him in 2007.

The new man in charge is also a top military figure, but the Associated Press news agency reports that his record is cleaner than other Sudanese generals. He is also said to have protesters to hear their views.

Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan talks to demonstrators in Khartoum, 12 April

Lt-Gen Burhan could be seen talking to demonstrators on Friday

Mr Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the Darfur conflict.

However, the military council has said he will not extradite Mr Bashir, who can not afford to be in Sudan.

How did the latest drama unfold?

Despite Mr Bashir's removal on Thursday, Khartoum, in defiance of a curfew.

Demonstrators in Khartoum, 13 April

Khartoum Overnight in Khartoum

In his first response, the military council came out and denied it, claiming power that they would decide the country's future, while the army maintained public order.

A few hours later, Mr Ibn Auf announced he was resigning and would be replaced by Lt-Gen Burhan.

"In order to ensure the cohesion of the security system, and the armed forces in particular, from cracks and strife, and relying on God, let us begin this path of change," he said.

Protesters celebrated its abrupt departure but the Sudan Professionals Association, which has been spearheading the demonstrations, later announced that the sit-in would continue.

"We call on the armed forces to ensure that we have a transitional civilian government," they said on Facebook.

They further called for the abolition of "arbitrary decisions by leaders who do not represent the people" and the detention of "all the symbols of the regime that have been involved in crimes against the people".

"Until these demands are fully met, we must continue with our sit-in at the General Command of the Armed Forces," said the SPA.

Meanwhile, police said at least 16 people had been killed by stray bullets at the protests on Thursday and Friday.

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