Why social media users are going blue in solidarity with Sudan’s protesters

What started as a touching tribute to a 26-year-old victim of the crackdown has spread into a global movement of solidarity.

Mohamed Mattar's favourite colour was blue and it has prompted a social media movement. Source: Twitter @OmerYousifff

A blue wave has spread across thousands of social media profiles to honour the memory of a victim of the brutal crackdown on protesters in Sudan.

Engineer Mohamed Mattar, 26, was allegedly fatally shot by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during the 3 June attacks. He was reportedly trying to protect two women at the time. 

His favourite colour was blue, prompting the social media movement. 

What started as a touching tribute to Mr Mattar from friends and family has now grown into a broader movement of solidarity with Sudan, as the world tries to piece together the violence taking place in the country.

Local media has been largely blocked from covering the unfolding violence, by the government.

Violence first erupted in the North African country earlier this month when armed men in military fatigues broke up a weeks-long, sit-in protest outside army headquarters in Khartoum. The protest, which began on 6 April, was first called for the ousting of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir.

After his removal, protesters called for the removal of the replacement military council.

After talks between protest leaders and the military collapsed, troops allegedly opened fire on the crwods, killing at least 120 people according to local doctors.

On Friday, Sudan's military council admitted for the first time that it was responsible for dispersing the sit-in.

"We ordered the commanders to come up with a plan to disperse this sit-in. They made a plan and implemented it ... but we regret that some mistakes happened," spokesperson Shamseddine Kabbashi said.

In the wake of the attacks, military leaders reduced internet access in the area leading to a shutdown that human rights groups called a "gross violation of human rights". 

Using the hashtag #BlueForSudan, thousands have since joined the movement, including US singers Rihanna and Demi Lovato, who have shared statements of support with protesters.

"The colour blue came from a warm-hearted, martyr known as, Mohammed Hashim Mattar, my cousin who has passed away," a Twitter user identifying himself as Mr Mattar's cousin wrote on Thursday.

"Blue was his fav colour, which now presents unity."

The colour has now been labelled by social media users as Mattar Blue.