Sudan army topples Bashir: defence minister

“I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place,” Ibnouf said.

Bashir, who ruled with an iron fist since he took power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, was ousted after deadly force failed to end four months of nationwide protests for his ouster.

“We have replaced him by a transitional military council for two years and have suspended Sudan’s 2005 constitution,” Ibnouf said, reading from a statement.

“We announce a state of emergency across the country for three months, and we have ordered the closing of the country’s borders and airspace until a new announcement is made.”

Ibnouf said the military council had also declared a nationwide ceasefire, that includes the war-torn regions of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan where Bashir’s government had long been battling ethnic minority rebels.