ISTANBUL

Sudanese army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Thursday ordered the release of four of the ministers detained by the military on Oct. 25 after it intervened amid rising tensions in the African country.

According to state-run media, ministers Hamza Baloul, Ali Jiddo, Hashim Hasabalrasoul and Yousef Adam are to be set free.

The development came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with the army chief over telephone, and reiterated his call for the release of all civilian detainees.

Shortly after detaining Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and several ministers, al-Burhan had declared a state of emergency and dissolved the governing sovereign council, triggering mass protests.

The council, composed of military and civilian officials, oversaw the transition period until elections in 2023 as part of a power-sharing pact after the ouster of former ruler Omar Al-Bashir.