Sudan’s army has overthrown the country’s strongman and longest serving leader, President Omar al-Bashir, after months of protests against his autocratic rule.

In a statement on Thursday, General Awad Ibn Auf, the defence minister, said al-Bashir had been taken to a “safe place” after the “toppling of the regime” and also announced the formation of a military-led transitional government, which will rule for two years.

“During this time, the armed forces will take on – with limited representation of the other elements of the Committee – the responsibility of administering the state and preventing the shedding of priceless Sudanese blood,” said General Auf.

He also declared a three-month state of emergency and the suspension of the 2005 constitution, as well the closure of Sudan’s airspace for 24 hours and of border crossings until further notice.

All of Sudan’s government institutions, including the National Assembly and national council of ministers, have been dissolved, General Auf added, assuring viewers that Sudan would soon prepare for “free and fair” elections.

General Auf’s announcement came against the backdrop of a sixth successive day of anti-government protests outside Sudan’s army headquarters in the capital, Khartoum.

Demonstrators have staged a mass sit-in outside the complex to call for the army to support their bid to see al-Bashir peacefully removed from power.

The coup announcement drew the scorn of some protesters who accused the military of engineering a “regime coup” and failing to meet their demands for a civilian-led transitional government.