HUNDREDS of people have been savagely killed and dozens reported raped in Sudan as the country teeters on the brink of a "human rights abyss".

Here's the latest on what has been going on in the African country on the verge of a civil war.

4 Sudanese protesters have been demonstrating since December Credit: AFP or licensors

What is happening in Sudan?

Weeks of peaceful protests were met with unbridled violence on the streets of Sudan, as thousands of demonstrators rose up against a brutal militia.

Sudanese demonstrators first started protesting in December 2018 against the rule of former President Hassan al-Bashir, who resigned on April 11, 2019.

Their demonstrations were sparked by the Government increasing the prices of everyday items such as bread and fuel in a bid to improve the economy, but soon spiralled into widespread discontent at al-Bashir's 30-year rule.

4 Members of Sudan's alliance of opposition and protest groups chant slogans outside Sudan's Central Bank Credit: Reuters

In April, the military overthrew and arrested al-Bashir amid the mass protests against decades of autocratic rule.

The military council in charge is largely controlled by Gen Mohamed Hamdan "Hemeti" Dagolo, instrumental in the atrocities committed in Darfur.

The former camel trader is now the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of the country’s biggest paramilitary groups, but has been accused of numerous war crimes and atrocities.

The Transitional Military Council claims it needs to be in charge to retain order and security in Sudan - but the recent death toll suggests otherwise.

Sudanese doctors have said more than 118 protesters were killed in a raid on June 3, as they demanded the TMC cede power to an interim administration led by civilians, Al Jazeera reported.

On June 13, ousted President Bashir was charged with corruption relating to laws on "suspected illicit wealth and emergency orders".

He could appear in court as early as next week to face the charges, the country's acting prosecutor general has said.

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Where is Sudan?

Sudan - officially the republic of Sudan - is a country in north east Africa.

It's bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the north east and Eritrea to the east.

To the south is South Sudan and the Central African Republic, with Chad and Libya to the west.

The country has a population of nearly 43million and is sometimes referred to as North Sudan.

South Sudan was established as a new country in 2011 but a violent conflict broke out there just two years later.

Millions have been forced to flee, with many refugees living in Sudan, itself now rocked by crisis.

How many people have been killed?

Security forces have killed at least 124 people in the capital and across the country in a sweeping crackdown, according to protest organisers.

More than 700 people are estimated to have been injured.

Hospitals in Khartoum have also reported 70 cases of rape following attacks on protesters.

4 Brunel university student Mohamed Mattar, 26, was killed while protecting women from Sudanese militia

What is the Blue for Sudan movement?

Mohamed Mattar, 26, was one of those killed in the protests.

The student at London's Brunel university was shot on June 3 while protecting two women from Sudanese militia.

Social media users have been turning their profile pictures blue - Mohamed's favourite colour - in a show of solidarity to all victims of the crackdown.

Twitter and Instagram are now awash with blue as they honour their memories and alert the world to the ongoing violence.

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Shahd Khidir, a friend of Mattar's, explained: "Once he was murdered, his friends and family changed their profile picture to match his, and eventually other people began to join in.

"Now [the colour] represents all of the Sudanese people who have fallen in the uprising."

Celebrities showing their support include singer and model Gonca Aydin, Uyi and Al Mayassa Al Thani.

The hashtag #IamTheSudanRevolution is also trending in multiple countries.

Stand with humanity, stand with Sudan— show solidarity by turning your profile to the colour blue! #BlueForSudan #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/ma0c23PXXA — Al Mayassa Al Thani (@almayassahamad) June 12, 2019

I need you to give Sudan the same attention y’all gave to an empty building; Notre Dame de Paris.



Paint IG, FB, Twitter blue for #Sudan; Screenshot & make the pic below your profile picture. #PrayforSudan #SudanMassacre #SudanUprising #FreeSudan #IAmSudanRevolution pic.twitter.com/T3u0RhwDaF — Gonca Aydın (@gncaydnn) June 12, 2019

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