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Sudans coup leader steps down one day after ousting president

By Deputy Chief EditorApril 13, 2019

177 2 minutes read

Sudans defence minister has stepped down one day after ousting longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.

The head of the countrys military council Awad Ibn Ouf announced hes leaving the position as transitional leader.

General Ibn Ouf also said his successor will be general inspector of the armed forces Abdel-Fattah Burhan.

KHARTOUM, SUDAN - APRIL 12: A screen grab captured from a video shows Awad Ibn Auf, Defense Minister of Sudan, announces his resignation in Khartoum, Sudan on April 12, 2019. (Photo by AA/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) — Awad Ibn Ouf made the announcement during a TV interview (Picture: Getty Images)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 14, 2019, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir (R) is seated alongside his first vice president Lieutenant General Awad Mohamed Ahmed ibn Auf (L)as they pose for a group photo with members of the new 20-member cabinet taking oath at the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum. - Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, long wanted on genocide and war crimes charges, was finally brought down in a popular uprising by the very people he ruled with an iron fist for 30 years. One of Africa's longest-serving presidents, the 75-year-old had remained defiant in the face of months-long protests that left dozens of demonstrators dead in clashes with security forces. (Photo by ASHRAF SHAZLY / AFP)ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images — It comes one day after he ousted Omar al-Bashir (Picture: AFP)

Ibn Ouf said: I, the head of the military council, announce I am giving up the post.

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He adding he took the decision to preserve unity of the armed forces.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese protesters have been rallying in front of the military headquarters in Khartoum, against the military takeover of power after ousting al-Bashir on Thursday.

The Sudanese military has rejected calls that it hand over al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court where he faces genocide charges for his deadly campaign in the western Darfur region and said he would be put on trial at home.

The developments point to the sensitivity of the case of the Darfur conflict for the military council that has taken power after removing and arresting al-Bashir amid mounting protests against his 30-year rule.

A Sudanese woman chants slogans during a demonstration demanding a civilian body to lead the transition to democracy, outside the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on April 12, 2019. - Sudanese protestors vowed on April 12 to chase out the country's new military rulers, as the army offered talks on forming a civilian government after it ousted president Omar al-Bashir. (Photo by ASHRAF SHAZLY / AFP)ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images — C A Sudanese woman chants slogans during a demonstration demanding a civilian body to lead the transition to democracy (Picture: AFP)

Sudanese protesters chant slogans as they gather during a demonstration demanding a civilian body to lead the transition to democracy, outside the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on April 12, 2019. - Sudanese protestors vowed on April 12 to chase out the country's new military rulers, as the army offered talks on forming a civilian government after it ousted president Omar al-Bashir. (Photo by ASHRAF SHAZLY / AFP)ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images — Several protests have taken place outside the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum (Picture: AFP)

Ibn Ouf was head of military intelligence during the brutal campaign to suppress the Darfur insurgency in the 2000s.

The US has imposed sanctions on him since 2007, saying he armed and directed pro-government militias known as the Janjaweed, accused of widespread atrocities against civilians and rapes during the conflict.

Earlier on Friday, another top general Omar Zein Abedeen said that al-Bashir would not be extradited to the International Criminal Court based in The Hague, saying doing so would be an ugly mark on Sudan.

Ha added: Even rebels carrying weapons, we dont extradite them.

Mr Zein Abedeen said Sudanese courts would hold al-Bashir accountable, but did not specify what charges he could be prosecuted on. In ousting the president, the military denounced him and his government for corruption, maladministration and lack of justice.