Title: Prolonged closure of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar: students mobilized to save their academic year
Introduction :
The prolonged closure of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar continues to spark outrage among Senegalese students. While the management of the university city has postponed the reopening of the campus until early January 2024, students believe that this new postponement seriously compromises their academic year. After five months of closure due to demonstrations linked to the conviction of opponent Ousmane Sonko, students are calling for national mobilization to block education and make their demands heard.
The students’ ordeal:
Since the closure of UCAD last June, students have been deprived of their right to education, a situation considered unacceptable by many student representatives. Ala Khane, president of the association of the faculty of letters and human sciences, emphasizes that students are the future of the country and that it is imperative to save the academic year by all means. He denounces the fact that the university is closed for political reasons while even in countries in a war situation, university establishments continue to operate.
Student mobilization:
Faced with this situation, Senegalese students have decided to mobilize massively to defend their rights and demand the immediate reopening of the university. The call to block education at the national level aims to put pressure on the authorities to end this prolonged closure. Student representatives also call for unity between the country’s different universities, in order to defend the student cause collectively.
Police repression:
However, the student demonstrations were violently repressed by the police. A press conference held on the UCAD campus by student groups was dispersed by the police using tear gas. This repression sparks outrage and raises questions about freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest in Senegal.
Conclusion :
The prolonged closure of UCAD in Dakar continues to arouse anger and frustration among Senegalese students. They believe that their right to education is violated and that their future is compromised. The mobilization of students to block education at the national level aims to put an end to this situation and guarantee the resumption of classes immediately. It is urgent that the authorities take concrete measures to respond to the legitimate demands of students and to ensure a better future for Senegalese youth.