11 Apr 2019 | 04:11 PM UTC
Sudan: Border crossings, airspace temporarily closed following coup April 11 /update 60
Sudanese Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf declares three-month-long state of emergency following coup deposing President Omar al-Bashir April 11; airspace closed for 24 hours and border crossings closed until further notice
Event
Sudanese Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf declared a three-month-long state of emergency in Sudan following a coup d'etat that deposed President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday, April 11. The move comes after months of sustained and escalating pressure from anti-government protesters. Auf stated that Sudanese airspace would be closed for 24 hours, border crossings would be closed until further notice, and that a month-long nightly curfew (from 22:00 to 04:00 [local time]) would be implemented. He also declared that the military had dissolved the government, suspended the constitution, and will rule the country for two years in a transitional government, after which time fresh presidential elections will be held.
Heightened security measures and associated transportation disruptions are to be expected nationwide, notably in Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdurman, over the coming hours and days. Protest organizers, who have amassed crowds in the tens of thousands to participate in an ongoing sit-in protest outside military headquarters in Khartoum, have vowed to continue protesting until a civilian-led transitional government is created. Related clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out over the near term.
Context
Anti-government protests began on December 19, 2018, as hundreds of protesters gathered in major urban centers. Protesters initially demanded increased government transparency and economic reforms but broadened their scope to demand the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir, who was in power since 1989.
Advice
Individuals in Sudan, particularly those in Khartoum, are advised to closely monitor the situation, refrain from all nonessential travel, remain vigilant of their surroundings and be aware of possible spontaneous protest activities, adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments, and avoid all public gatherings and common demonstration sites due to the risk of violence and arrest.
