\n Here are key dates in Sudan since Omar al-Bashir, who Friday announced a nationwide state of emergency following two months of deadly anti-government protests, came to power three decades ago.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 1989: coup -\n<\/p>\n
\n In June 1989. army brigadier Bashir seizes power in a coup backed by Islamist ideologue Hassan al-Turabi.\n<\/p>\n
\n Sudan then hosts radical Islamists, including Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden who remains until 1996.\n<\/p>\n
\n A leadership power struggle erupts in 1999 and Bashir forces Turabi from the ruling circle.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2003: rebellion in Darfur -\n<\/p>\n
\n In 2003, a rebellion erupts in the vast western region of Darfur, which complains of economic and political marginalisation.\n<\/p>\n
\n The conflict kills 300,000 people and displaces nearly 2.5 million, according to UN figures, before largely diminishing.\n<\/p>\n
\n The International Criminal Court in 2009 indicts Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, and a year later for genocide. Bashir denies the charges.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2005: civil war ends -\n<\/p>\n
\n Khartoum signs a peace treaty in 2005 with southern rebels after a north-south civil war that lasted more than two decades, leaving two million people dead and a further four million displaced.\n<\/p>\n
\n The agreement schedules a referendum on independence for 2011.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2010: vote boycotted -\n<\/p>\n
\n In 2010, Bashir is elected in the first multiparty election since 1986, but voting is boycotted by the opposition and criticised abroad.\n<\/p>\n
\n He is re-elected in 2015.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2011: South Sudan born -\n<\/p>\n
\n In July 2011, South Sudan breaks away, six months after the scheduled referendum overwhelmingly approves independence.\n<\/p>\n
\n The Sudan People's Liberation Army-North launches insurgencies in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2012: war for oil -\n<\/p>\n
\n In early 2012, fighting breaks out along the border between Sudan and South Sudan over oil fields in an area claimed by both.\n<\/p>\n
\n South Sudan shuts off oil production for more than a year, hitting the economies of both countries.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2013: deadly demonstrations -\n<\/p>\n
\n Khartoum lifts petrol subsidies in late 2013, causing prices to rocket by more than 60 percent and sparking broad public anger.\n<\/p>\n
\n Demonstrations turn into anti-government protests and the security forces respond with force. Amnesty International says more than 200 people were shot dead, while the government puts the toll at dozens.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2016: Darfur referendum -\n<\/p>\n
\n Darfur holds a referendum in April 2016 on whether to unify its five states, a long-standing demand of rebels seeking greater autonomy.\n<\/p>\n
\n The poll is boycotted by the opposition and criticised internationally, with the result backing the division of the region.\n<\/p>\n
\n In August, negotiations fail between the regime and rebels on a cessation of hostilities in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan.\n<\/p>\n
\n The following month Amnesty says government forces used suspected chemical weapons in 2016 in Darfur, killing scores of civilians. Khartoum denies the allegations.\n<\/p>\n
\n In November, Sudan hikes fuel prices by around 30 percent, sparking new nationwide strikes.\n<\/p>\n
\n - 2017: US embargo ends -\n<\/p>\n
\n In October 2017, the United States ends its 20-year-old trade embargo against Sudan, imposed over alleged support for Islamist militant groups.\n<\/p>\n
\n But Washington does not drop Sudan from its blacklist of \"state sponsors of terrorism\".\n<\/p>\n
\n - Bread protests -\n<\/p>\n
\n In early 2018, demonstrations erupt over soaring food prices, notably of bread. They are swiftly dispersed and opposition leaders and activists rounded up.\n<\/p>\n
\n In August, the ruling party nominates Bashir as its candidate for the 2020 presidential election, despite the constitution having a two-term limit.\n<\/p>\n
\n On December 19, protests begin in several towns after the government triples the price of bread, soon turning into rolling nationwide anti-government rallies.\n<\/p>\n
\n The demonstrations continue into 2019, with some political groups calling for a \"new regime\".\n<\/p>\n
\n Authorities are accused of a harsh crackdown, including using live ammunition, with Human Rights Watch saying at least 51 people have been killed since the start, although the official toll is around 31.\n<\/p>\n
\n A top US official warns that talks to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism could be detailed unless the authorities rein in their crackdown on protesters.\n<\/p>\n
\n On February 22, Bashir declares a year-old state of emergency across Sudan and dissolves the government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here are key dates in Sudan since Omar al-Bashir, who Friday announced a nationwide state of emergency following two months of deadly anti-government protests, came to power three decades ago. - 1989: coup - In June 1989. army brigadier Bashir seizes power in a coup backed by Islamist ideologue Hassan al-Turabi. Sudan then hosts radical […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[553],"tags":[],"ji_location":[],"class_list":["post-40397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-live-feed"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n