Amid protests against him, Sudan President Omar al-Bashir declared a state of emergency.
He called on parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in a 2020 presidential election.
In a subsequent decree, Bashir set up a caretaker administration comprising a senior official from each ministry, but kept the defense, foreign and justice ministers in place.
Bashir said he would dissolve the central government as well as state governments.
“Firm economic measures should be taken in a new government”, Bashir said, adding that he would assign that task to a qualified team.
The anti-government demonstrations began on Dec. 19, triggered by price increases and cash shortages, but quickly developed into protests against Bashir’s rule.
Bashir had previously blamed the protests on foreign “agents”, and challenged his rivals to seek power through the ballot box. He had shown no sign that he was prepared to concede any power.