Sudanese people celebrate on the street as they are waiting for an important statement from the army in Khartoum, Sudan, April 11, 2019. The Sudanese army has ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his government, Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf said in a long awaited statement aired live on official Sudan TV Thursday. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

KHARTOUM, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf on Thursday was sworn in as head of the transitional council in Sudan, official Sudan TV reported.

"Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf took the constitutional oath as chairman of the Transitional Military Council and Kamal Abdul-Marouf Al-Mahi as his deputy," the report said.

Earlier on Thursday, Ibn Auf announced the ousting of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his government.

He further declared a state of emergency for three months and a curfew for one month.

The defense minister said that a military council would be formed to run the country during a transitional period of two years.

He also announced suspension of the interim constitution of the Republic of Sudan, and closure of the Sudanese air space for 24 hours together with border passages all over Sudan until further notice.

Since Dec. 19 last year, Sudan has been witnessing popular protests over the deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic commodities. 

Sudanese people celebrate on the street as they are waiting for an important statement from the army in Khartoum, Sudan, April 11, 2019. The Sudanese army has ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his government, Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf said in a long awaited statement aired live on official Sudan TV Thursday. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)