Sudan’s military reportedly forced President Omar al-Bashir to step down on Thursday.
The Associated Press, citing two senior Sudanese officials, reported that the army forced al-Bashir to leave office and is now in talks to form a new government. The departure of the autocratic president, who held the position for 30 years, sparked widespread celebrations in the country, according to media reports.
“It has fallen, we won,” protesters chanted, according to Reuters.
{mosads}In an announcement made Thursday on state television, the military told the country it soon expect an “important statement,” the AP reported.
While demonstrators have called for a civilian transitional government, the AP noted there is speculation that the military will install one of its own to lead the nation.
The wave of protests in the country originally began in December over the economy, and protesters quickly began calling for an end to al-Bashir’s presidency, according to the AP.
Omar Saleh Sennar, a leader of the protest group Sudanese Professionals’ Association, told Reuters that the protesters were expecting to negotiate with the military over a transfer of power.
“We will only accept a transitional civilian government,” Sennar said.