In Senegal, the university of Ziguinchor closed following unrest

The educational authorities of Senegal decided on Wednesday, November 27, the temporary closure of the University of Ziguinchor, in Casamance (South), and the dissolution of student organizations following unrest, they announced in a press release. Assane-Seck University in Ziguinchor has been the scene of clashes between students and police in recent days, media reported.

The students are demanding better study and living conditions and the completion of a certain number of ongoing projects. They denounce the lack of rooms and accommodation, the state of existing buildings, the shortage of resources, and the frequency of power cuts. The university’s academic council has decided to close it “until further notice” and to dissolve student associations and coordination, he announced in a press release.

Following this decision, the center for university social works, responsible for housing and catering, in turn announced in another press release the cessation of these activities. Students living on campus have until late Friday afternoon to return the keys to their rooms, specifies the press release published by public television.

The Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, asked the government for “emergency plan (…) for the delivery, according to a controlled schedule, of all projects relating to lecture halls, classrooms, restaurants and pavilions undertaken by the State in public universities”explains a press release from the council of ministers.

The president “reminded the Prime Minister of the urgency of taking all appropriate measures to ensure the continuity of educational activities and social stability in universities”insists the press release. Casamance is the stronghold of the head of government, Ousmane Sonko.