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The Sudanese president has been ousted and arrested after months of protests. Here is what you need to know.
How did everything start?
In December, the government tried to prevent the economic collapse caused by years of US sanctions and oil revenue losses, by urgent austerity measures and a sharp devaluation. currency.
Breaks in bread and fuel subsidies sparked protests in the East on the standard of living, but anger quickly spread to the capital, Khartoum.
How have the protests evolved?
Initially, they focused on rising costs but quickly expanded to demand the removal of President Omar al-Bashir, who has been responsible for nearly 30 years, and his government.
The protests culminated on the symbolic date of April 6 – the anniversary of a non-violent uprising that deposed dictator Jaafar Nimeiri in 1985.
Protesters, encouraged by recent developments in Algeria, have adopted slogans of regime change that echo the 2011 Arab Spring.
Who was protesting?
Economic problems have brought Sudanese from all walks of life to the streets, but the organization of events has been supported by the Sudanese Professionals Association, a collaboration of doctors, health workers and lawyers.
The number of women among the protesters has been estimated at 70% and they come from all ages and backgrounds. They say they also protest Sudan's badist attitudes in a conservative Muslim society where the law is sharia.
The video of a woman nicknamed "Kandaka" (Nubian Queen) at the head of songs has been shared hundreds of thousands of times on Twitter.
And now?
Defense Minister Awad Ibn Phew announced on Thursday that Bashir had been arrested by the army.
He added that the military would oversee a two – year transition period followed by elections and that a state of emergency of three months was being put in place.
Is there a precedent for this?
Peaceful popular uprisings in Sudan led to the dismissal of military leaders, General Ibrahim Abboud in 1964 and Nimeiri in 1985.
In both cases, a rapid and peaceful revolution was possible because the army command ordered its troops to side with the population, according to Sudanese expert Alex de Waal.
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