RECENTLY, I noticed a trend on social media where people have changed their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter photos to a very particular shade of blue to show solidarity with what is happening in Sudan.

The colour blue is being used to honour the memory of one of the victims of the brutal crackdown that killed dozens in Khartoum — Mohamed Mattar, whose favourite colour was reportedly blue.

Since December 2018, Sudan has been in a crisis. The recent problems started with a sit-in on April 6 which was the culmination of months of protests against Omar al-Bashir, who was eventually removed four days later.

However, the citizens kept protesting for civilian rule until the crackdown in which the country’s military reduced internet access. The protestors are now more detached from the outside world than ever before. There is barely any news coming out.

I hope the international community will come together to ask for answers and help the Sudanese people find some justice.

A concerned citizen

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2019