Sudan's Bashir declares state of emergency

Sudan's Bashir declares state of emergency
Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, facing the country’s biggest popular protests since he came to power 30 years ago, declared a one-year state of emergency on Friday (Feb. 22) and called on parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in a 2020 presidential election, Reuters reported.

In a televised speech, Bashir said he would dissolve the central government as well as state governments.

“Firm economic measures should be taken in a new government”, Bashir said, adding that he would assign that task to a qualified team.

He also addressed the opposition. “I extend a sincere invitation to the opposition forces, who are still outside the path of national reconciliation to move forward and engage in the dialogue regarding the current issues of our country”.

In a subsequent decree, Bashir set up a caretaker administration comprising a senior official from each ministry, but kept the defense, foreign and justice ministers in place.

After Bashir’s speech, angry protesters in the city of Omdurman chanted “Freedom!” and set fire to tires while others blocked a main road, a Reuters witness said. Police there fired tear gas and chased protesters through small streets.

The National Consensus Forces, one of Sudan’s main opposition groups, said the response to Bashir’s declaration of a state of emergency should be more protests.

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