Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir has been ousted after 30 years in office, the country's defense minister announced on Thursday.

Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf said the military overthrew Al-Bashir and detained him "in a safe place" following months of mass protests.

Despite celebrating the news, protesters have denounced the military's plan to rule for two years and insisted on the formation of a civilian transitional government.

Here's what you need to know about the recent events in Sudan:

1. Al-Bashir had been in power since 1989

Sudan, Sudan president
Source: Wikimedia

Born in 1944, Al-Bashir graduated from Sudan's military academy and eventually rose to the rank of general. In June 1989, he overthrew the democratically-elected civilian government of former Prime Minister Sadeq Al-Mahdi.

In 2015, he won 94 percent of the vote, but the results were said to be fraudulent. 

2. He has been accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region

In 2009 and 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) charged Al-Bashir with multiple counts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

While an arrest warrant was issued against him, leading to an international travel ban, Al-Bashir has made several diplomatic visits to countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.

It remains unclear whether the military plans will now turn Al-Bashir over to the ICC for prosecution.

3. The Sudanese have been protesting against the ruler for months

According to TRT, the protests first erupted in December 2018 following the hike in prices of bread and fuel. The demonstrations were sporadic at first, but soon became increasingly organized.

Security forces have reportedly tackled demonstrators using tear gas, flares, and sound grenades, in addition to live ammunition according to some media reports.

According to a report published on Euronews in February, authorities claimed 32 people, including three officers, had died during the demonstrations. However, activists estimated the death toll to be over 60.

Human Rights Watch reports that government forces killed at least eight protesters from April 6 to 8, 2019, and injured dozens.

4. Women have been on the forefronts of the demonstrations

Women's crucial role in the protests has been one of the most talked about aspects of the uprising. Earlier this week, footage of 22-year-old Sudanese engineering student Alaa Salah standing on a white car and leading protesters in chants went viral on social media.

According to a tweet shared on her Twitter account, Salah received death threats after grabbing the public's attention. "I will not bow down. My voice can not be suppressed," she wrote.

"Women are at the forefront, the leaders, here. It's not the stereotype of women in the background cheering the men. Women start chanting and we also regulate the chanting. If the chants include sexist statements or are discriminatory, we regulate it, we just explain, there's no aggression. It's a harassment-free zone, it's exceptional," Sudanese activist Dalia El Roubi told France24.

This comes as Sudanese women face a wide array of struggles under their country's patriarchal system, including child marriage, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and rape.

5. Al-Bashir was forced out in a military coup

On Thursday, Ibn Auf announced on state television the dissolution of Sudan's government, the suspension of its constitution, and the release of all "political detainees." He added that a military council would take over for a two-year transitional period. 

The minister said Al-Bashir is under arrest and in a safe place, but did not reveal the latter's whereabouts. 

6. Protests are still underway

Following the ousting of Al-Bashir, demonstrators defied the curfew imposed by the country's new military council and carried on with their protests.

Opposition groups insist the military should pass over the reins to a civilian transitional government, explaining that the military council is part of the same regime they have been protesting against.

"This is a continuation of the same regime," Sara Abdeljalil of the Sudanese Professionals Associationthe main umbrella group behind the demonstrations, told the BBC"So what we need to do is to continue the fight and the peaceful resistance."

7. Al-Bashir is the second Arab leader to be forced out of office this month

Earlier this month, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his resignation after 20 years in power. The 82-year-old leader, who had sought running for a fifth term despite his poor health, stepped down after weeks of massive protests against his rule.

As per the Algerian constitution, the head of the upper house of parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, is now required to serve as interim president for up to 90 days while a presidential election is organized.