Senegal: Negotiations suspended in Dakar, withdrawal of security forces an absolute prerequisite for UCAD students
While violent clashes between students and security forces persist on the campus of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar (UCAD), the institution’s Student Association Collective has clarified its position. In a statement released after a night of intense tensions, the group demands the immediate and complete withdrawal of security forces from the university grounds as a non-negotiable condition for continuing talks, scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
The student collective strongly denounces what it calls a “blatant violation of academic immunity” during Wednesday’s police intervention.
They describe the act as “deeply regrettable” and in direct contradiction to assurances previously given by the government during earlier discussions.
According to the statement, representatives of the movement were received late at night by the President of the National Assembly, El Malick Ndiaye, and then by the Minister of Higher Education, Daouda Ngom.
An online exchange with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko also took place. During these contacts, potential solutions regarding Master’s degree students (Year 1 and 2) were reportedly discussed, but the majority of the grievances remain unresolved.
However, the main sticking point remains unchanged. “The primary demand, which must be accepted by the authorities before any effective resumption of dialogue, is the definitive evacuation of all police and military personnel from the university perimeter,” the Collective states emphatically, demanding that previous promises be honoured.
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True to its method, the organization indicates it has withdrawn to consult its membership base before the official resumption of negotiations. It describes itself as “calm, coherent, and determined” in its actions.
This statement comes in a context of marked security deterioration. Recurrent clashes in recent days have resulted in numerous injuries among both students and security forces, and caused significant material damage.
On Wednesday, fresh clashes, marked by thrown projectiles and the firing of tear gas grenades, paralyzed the area around the campus and plunged the neighborhood into deep disorder.
Faced with this escalation, the UCAD Academic Council, convened under the authority of Rector Prof. Badara Kandji, authorized him to request the intervention of security forces for the protection of people and property.
Concurrently, the Union of Administrative, Technical, and Service Staff (PATS) is calling for urgent action to guarantee the safety of its members.
Despite the recent announcement of the release of scholarship funds, student anger has not subsided.
The strikers are maintaining their movement, demanding the effective and immediate payment of their grants, proving that the crisis extends beyond security issues to touch the very heart of their living and study conditions.
Stephane MALAME
