Sudan Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is expected to announce a new Sovereign Council and a new prime minister within a week, Russian news agency Sputnik reported on Friday.

Sudan Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan relieved six Sudanese ambassadors from their posts, state TV said on Wednesday.

The decision included Sudan's ambassadors to the United States, the European Union, China, Qatar, France and the head of Sudan's mission to Geneva.

The Security Council on Thursday demanded the release of detained civilian leaders and the restoration of the civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.

In a press statement, the members of the Security Council expressed serious concern about Monday's military takeover in Sudan, the suspension of some transitional institutions, the declaration of a state of emergency, and the detention of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other civilian members of the transitional government.

The council members called for the immediate release of all those who have been detained by the military authorities, and in this regard, took note of the reported return of Prime Minister Hamdok to his residence.

The UN Special Representative in Sudan Volker Perthes met with Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Wednesday and encouraged him to de-escalate the situation in the country, calling for access to and the release of detainees, his mission said in a statement on Thursday.

Perthes "offered his good offices to facilitate a political settlement towards the restoration of the transitional partnership," the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) said.

Al-Burhan on Thursday assigned Ali Al-Sadiq the position of Undersecretary of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(With input from Reuters)

Two flights took off from Khartoum International Airport in Sudan on Thursday after flight operations resumed, reported Al Jazeera. 

All inbound and outbound flights resumed at the airport from 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday, after temporary suspensions due to recent civil unrest.

According to the reports, two bridges linking Khartoum and the eastern part of the country reopened on Thursday morning.

Sudan's Khartoum International Airport reopened to flights on Wednesday after a one-day suspension. The aviation authorities announced on Tuesday the suspension of flights to and from the airport until October 30.

Sudan's transitional government said that Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok is still "under siege," rebuffing reports of him "enjoying full freedom" a pure public opinion manipulation by the military leaders.

"We affirm that the Prime Minister, having been completely under siege, has not been able to meet with his political base, nor to speak to the public or media outlets, nor to communicate with the active forces of the revolution or the international community," according to a statement posted on the Facebook page of Sudan's culture and information department.

"Prime Minister, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok, enjoys full freedom are merely false allegations aimed at buying time in order to rearrange their position which is faltering as a result of the pressure by the people and the international community."

The statement also condemned the military leaders for isolating Sudan internationally by closing airports and air transport services, as well as imposing an information blockade through blocking access communication and internet services, as well as committing violations against civilians.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he spoke by phone with Sudan's Foreign Minister Mariam Sadiq al-Mahdi to condemn the arrest of civilian leaders in the African country.

He added on Twitter that they also discussed how the U.S. can best support the Sudanese people's call for a return to a civilian-led transition to democracy.

The Chinese Embassy in Sudan has asked Chinese nationals in the African country to stay on high alert and avoid going out amid report of large scale demonstration to take place on Saturday in capital Khartoum.

It also requested all Chinese-funded institutions in Sudan to continue suspending work and production in response to recent unrest. 

Envoys from France, Germany, Norway, UK, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations met with Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok at his residence, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission Sudan (UNITAMS) wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

The mission added that the envoys found Hamdok in good health. "Pleased to find him in good health. We continue to call for full restoration of his liberty."

(With input from Reuters)

Sudan's armed forces sacked Ibrahim Adlan, head of the county's civil aviation authority, according to Reuters citing sources.

Sudan's armed forces chief General Abdel Fatah al-Burhan met with Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Khartoum Ali Bin Hasan Jaafar on Wednesday to discuss the crisis in Sudan and efforts to resolve the situation through dialog "among all relevant parties," the country's armed forces Facebook page said.

Sudan's Beja tribes announced an end to port shutdowns and roadblocks in the east of the country, Saudi-owned Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV reported on Wednesday.

In recent weeks, the tribes have blocked roads and forced Red Sea ports to close in protest at what they say is the region's lack of political power and poor economic conditions there. 

The closures led to shortages of essential medicines, fuel and wheat.

Sudan will reopen Khartoum airport to all inbound and outbound flights on Wednesday, the head of Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority said, following unrest in the country. 

"Khartoum airport will resume operations starting Wednesday (at) 4:00 pm local time (1400 GMT)," said Civil Aviation Authority Director General Ibrahim Adlan. On Tuesday, Adlan said Sudan had suspended flights until October 30.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Tuesday and welcomed his release from custody, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday.

"The Secretary welcomed the Prime Minister's release from custody and reiterated his call on Sudanese military forces to release all civilian leaders in detention and to ensure their safety," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has returned to his residence with his wife under tight security, the prime minister's office said Tuesday on Facebook.

Protesters continued to march in the streets of Khartoum, Sudan on Tuesday, opposing the military takeover of the civilian government. On Monday, seven protesters were killed and 140 were hurt after clashes with authorities. See the latest.

Check out The China Report, our new weekly newsletter. Subscribe here!

Most Internet communication in Sudan had been restored on Tuesday afternoon. 

Sudan has suspended telephone and Internet communications Monday amid political unrest.

Sudan's top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Tuesday, said that the Internet and communications would be restored once the media start reporting the truth.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Sudan's capital Khartoum again on Tuesday after the country's transitional government was dissolved and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was arrested by the military on Monday.

In exclusive footage that CGTN obtained from local media, plumes of smoke could be seen after protesters set tyres on fire as they blocked a street.

Sudan doctors' association said at least two people were killed and over 80 others injured in clashes between security forces and protesters. 

On Monday, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, members of the Transitional Sovereignty Council's civilian component and several ministers were arrested by joint military forces.

Sudan's ruling military council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan later announced a state of emergency across the country and the dissolution of the transitional sovereign council and the government.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, the top general defended the army's move, saying he ousted the government of Hamdok to avoid a civil war.

He said Hamdok was confined in his home and had not been harmed.

Sudan's top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Tuesday said distrust between transition partners began after the Juba peace agreement and the decision to oust the government of Abdalla Hamdok was taken in order to avoid civil war, accusing political forces of incitement against armed forces.

Burhan said he was keeping ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok at his own house. He told a news conference in Khartoum that Hamdok was safe and kept away "for his own safety."

The armed forces gave "all possible concessions possible" to meet the expectations of Sudanese people regarding a civilian government, said Burhan.

A prime minister will be appointed and a sovereign council and cabinet will be formed but with real representation from all states, he added.

Sudan's top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan will hold a news conference later on Tuesday, officials from his office said. 

"General Burhan will speak at a press conference at the army headquarters in Khartoum" from 1:00 p.m. (1100 GMT), the officials said.

Sudan's Information Ministry declared on Monday that the civilian government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok is still the legal transitional authority in the country, and denied the cabinet's dissolution.

In a statement, the ministry confirmed that the constitution grants the authority to declare a national state of emergency exclusively to the prime minister, and does not afford the power to dissolve transitional institutions to any party other than the legislative council.

The ministry has demanded that the Sudanese army release the prime minister and all other arrested officials.

Transitional government of Sudan posted a statement on Monday claiming the government headed by Dr. Abdullah Hamdok, who was kidnapped by military forces, "is still the legitimate transitional authority in the country," and that the military coup actions lack constitutional bond.

The United States on Monday suspended $700 million in economic aid to Sudan after the country's military forces arrested civilian leaders and officials.

"The United States condemns the actions taken overnight by Sudanese military forces," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said during a press briefing. "The arrest of civilian government officials and other political leaders, including Prime Minister (Abdalla) Hamdok, undermines the country's transition to democratic civilian rule."

"In light of these developments, the United States is pausing assistance from the $700 million in emergency assistance appropriations of economic support funds for Sudan," he added.

The U.S. calls for immediate release of Sudan's officials, Reuters reported on Monday citing the White House. 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the ongoing military coup in Sudan, calling for "full respect for the constitutional charter to protect the hard-won political transition," via Twitter. 

The Central Leadership Council of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in Sudan on Monday called for civil disobedience as the country has been gripped by an "explicit coup against power."

"We call on all Sudanese all over the world to turn to parliaments and ministries of foreign affairs in their countries, and to demonstrate and pressure not to recognize and reject it," the FFC said in a statement published on the Facebook page of Sudan's culture and information ministry.

The FFC said Burhan has put Sudan back to the phase of the Transitional Military Council by launching the coup.

It also called for the release of all detainees, and on the international community to reject the coup and refuse to recognize its authority.

"All members of the Transitional Military Council step down, and surrender power to the civilian government that the people fought and the martyrs presented for it," it continued. 

Sudan is currently in its 39th month of rule by a transitional government of military and civilian elements, which was established after the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

(With input from Xinhua)

The Chinese Embassy in Sudan Monday urgently reminded overseas Chinese citizens and institutions in Sudan to stay on highest alert and take safety precautions amid the current unrest. 

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for the release of the Sudanese Prime Minister and civilian members of the government, joining appeals from the EU and African Union.

In a tweet, Macron also condemned the military coup attempt in the African country and expressed France's support for the Sudanese transitional government.

The European Union called on Monday for the release of Sudan's civilian leaders, insisting that "violence and bloodshed must be avoided" after a reported military coup.

"The EU is very concerned about Sudan's military forces reportedly putting Prime Minister (Abdalla) Hamdok under house arrest, as well as detaining other members of the civilian leadership, and we urge for their fast release," European Commission spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told journalists.

Sudan's ruling council head, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Monday declared a state of emergency across the country and the dissolution of the transitional sovereign council and the government.

An independent government will rule Sudan until an election is held in July 2023, Burhan said, adding that the military needs to protect the country's safety and security as stated in the constitutional declaration.

Sudan's political leaders should be released and human rights respected, the African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement on Monday.

Faki also added talks should be resumed between the military and the civilian wing of the transitional government.

Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, secretary general of the Arab League (AL) on Monday expressed concern over the situation in Sudan, and called on Sudanese parties to abide by the 2019 signed transitional arrangement as well as the 2020 Juba peace deal between the Sudanese government and armed groups.

At least 12 people were injured in protests near Sudan's military headquarters in the capital city of Khartoum, the country's doctors committee has said.  

Gunfire was reported during the clashes.

U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman has left Sudan's capital, Khartoum, local media reported on Monday.

Sudan's state television said on Monday that the head of the ruling council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan would deliver a statement shortly amid reports of a military coup.

Sudanese protesters have crossed barricades and entered the streets surrounding military headquarters in the capital city of Khartoum, and security forces have fired tear gas at them, China Media Group reported on Monday, in the midst of an alleged ongoing military coup.

The United Nations said Monday that Sudanese security forces' detention of civilian leaders including premier Abdalla Hamdok was "unacceptable." 

"I am deeply concerned about reports of an ongoing coup and attempts to undermine Sudan's political transition. The reported detentions of the prime minister, government officials, and politicians are unacceptable," said Volker Perthes, UN special representative to Sudan.  

"I call on the security forces to immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest," he said in a statement on Twitter.

Sudan's radio and television headquarters building has been stormed by military soldiers and some employees there detained, Sudan's information ministry has said.

China calls on relevant parties in Sudan to resolve differences through dialogue and safeguard national peace and stability, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday.

China is closely following the development of the situation in Sudan and will take necessary measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Sudan, Wang said. 

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his wife have been arrested and taken to an undisclosed location, CNN reported citing the Prime Minister's economic advisor Adam Hireka.

There were reports of the arrest of five other senior government figures, including Industry Minister Ibrahim al-Sheikh, Information Minister Hamza Baloul, and Mohammed al-Fiky Suliman, member of the country's ruling transitional body, known as the Sovereign Council, as well as Faisal Mohammed Saleh, a media adviser to Hamdok and Ayman Khalid, governor of the state containing Khartoum, Al Jazeera reported. 

Pro-military protesters briefly blocked major roads and bridges in Sudan's capital Khartoum on October 24, amid growing tensions between the military and civilians.

Sudan's information ministry on Monday confirmed that "joint military forces" have arrested government figures and ministers. 

"Civilian members of the transitional sovereign council and a number of ministers from the transitional government have been detained by joint military forces," the ministry said in a statement.

According to Al Hadath TV, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was put under house arrest after an unidentified military force besieged his house early on Monday. 

The head of the Sudan Sovereign Council is expected to give a statement on the developments.

Internet services were interrupted in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, and the airport in the city was shut down. Sections of the roads leading to the capital were also closed.

(Cover: Prime minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok announces major cabinet reshuffle during a news conference in Khartoum, Sudan, February 8, 2021. /CFP)