Sudan’s head of military council Ibn Auf steps down

The head of Sudan's ruling military council has resigned in a speech broadcast live on state television.

The announcement by General Awad Ibn Auf came late on Friday as tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, demanding a civilian-led transition after the military overthrow of the country's longtime ruler, Omar al-Bashir.

Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman will be the new head of the council, Ibn Auf said. He also said Chief of Staff Kamal Abdelmarouf al-Mahi was relieved of his position as deputy head of the transitional military council.

“In order to ensure the cohesion of the security system, and the armed forces in particular, from cracks and strife, and relying on God, let us begin this path of change,” Ibn Auf said.

"This is for the benefit of our nation, without having to look at special interests, big or small that may impede its progress," he said in a brief statement."I would like to recommend that you work together and reach a solution very speedily."

Ibn Auf said he was confident Burhan "will steer the ship to safe shores", and added he was stepping aside to "preserve unity" of the armed forces.

The new leader was one of the generals who reached out to protesters at the week-long encampment near the military headquarters, meeting with them face to face, and listening to their views.

The announcement of a future civilian government appeared aimed at reassuring demonstrators who had pressed for months for Bashir’s departure and quickly resumed protests against army rule after his ouster on Thursday, calling for quicker and more substantial change.

In a clear challenge to Ibn Auf’s military council, several thousand protesters remained in front of the defense ministry compound, and in other parts of the capital, as a nighttime curfew Ibn Auf had announced went into effect.