The Sudanese Crisis

I'm sure recently you must have encountered people on social media turning their profile pictures to the colour of indigo blue. This social media movement even reached stars like Rihanna and Demi Lovato who showed their support. All of this was due to the death of a 26 year-old protester named Mohammad Hashim Mattar.

The horrible incidents taking place in Sudan right now, began with an economic crisis in December. Due to depleted funds in the banks, the government was forced to triple the prices of bread, this move lead to local markets suffering and people out on the streets in protests.

The protests that started over the high prices of goods soon turned into a nationwide movement that demanded the resignation of its military dictator named Omar Al-Bashir, who has been in an undemocratic rule since 1989. The public demanded a better rule and sat in protest outside the military quarters in Khartoum, forcing the leaders to take action. Bashir was overthrown in April due to the force of this protest.

But the terrifying incidents that occurred on June 3, are the reality of the Sudanese public. The Transitional Military soon opened fire on the protesters in Khartoum, where Mattar died. Blue was his favourite colour which prompted social media users to turn their profiles blue in order to honour his memory. The move by the military created a death toll of over 100 people. This move was questioned by many as the the army leaders were involved in discussions of creating and managing some sort of a democratic rule.

This soon came to an end as the army leaders who forced out the President Omar Al-Bashir after months of protests, ended all discussions of a democratic rule and sharing of the rule with a civilian alliance. The people of Sudan then started a civil disobedience movement which emptied the streets of Khartoum. Alaa Salah, a 22-year-old architecture student was a leading protester in the movement. She stated that:

Our country is above any political parties and any sectarian divisions.

The military government in charge, blocked internet in Sudan, in order to stop the people from reporting on the current conditions and using it for their movement. Videos have surfaced online of people being massacred, slaughtered, brutally beaten and raped. With these conditions the question of power in Sudan is still left unanswered.

The Transitional Military in charge right now is led by Lt-Gen. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan but some have suspected that the actual power lies in the hands of his deputy Lt-Gen. Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo who is in control of a force outside the military command. He is suspected to be the next dictator as he is heavily supported by powers in countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab of Emirates.

The coming days will be the deciding days of Sudan. Whether or not the military regime will give way to a democratic rule is still to be decided. With the dwindling conditions and the suffering market, a majority of citizens are facing a food crisis. Here are some ways you can actually help by donating.

The University of Khartoum Alumni Association's Fundraiser you can donate on this facebook fundraiser created by Bakri Ali. Encourage your friends to donate too as the network of people behind this initiative are working with organized volunteers to provide food and care to the people in Sudan.