A statement released by the Sudanese army issued on Wednesday saying it would not allow the state to collapse, after weeks of mass protests demanding an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s 30-year rule. Activists have therefore called the military to back the protesters and pressure the government to step down.

General Kamal Abdul Maarouf in a statement has confirmed that the armed forces will not allow the Sudanese state to fall or to slide into the unknown. He said those leading the protests were hostile to Sudan and were hurting the country’s image.

The president of Sudan, Omar Bashir who addressed soldiers this month, has confirmed that he will only step down for another army officer or at the ballot box. 75 year old Bashir seized power in a bloodless coup in 1989.

The protests were triggered by price increases and cash shortages but quickly developed into demonstrations against Bashir.