Dakar, February 9

For several weeks, and in some cases for months, students at Senegal’s public universities have been protesting against serious delays in the payment of scholarships and financial aid. The situation is particularly tense at Università Cheikh Anta Diop di Dakar (UCAD), the country’s largest university.

For many students, scholarships represent their only means of subsistence. The delays are therefore affecting essential aspects of daily life, including access to decent housing, food, and the ability to continue their studies under acceptable conditions.

In addition to financial demands, students are also protesting the closure of essential university services, especially campus canteens and food facilities. This has further worsened living conditions and increased frustration and anger among the student population.

The demonstrations, which initially began peacefully, have on several occasions turned into clashes with police forces deployed to disperse gatherings or prevent certain actions on campus. According to eyewitnesses, stone throwing, crowd-control charges, and the use of tear gas were reported.

Yesterday, a student named Abdoulaye Ba, enrolled in his second year of medicine/dentistry, died on campus following clashes with police. Testimonies from students and leaders of student associations claim that the young man was violently beaten by police officers who intervened during the unrest.

Authorities have not yet provided a detailed official account of the circumstances surrounding his death. Meanwhile, the student community is calling for an independent and transparent investigation, as well as immediate action regarding scholarship payments and the restoration of essential services.

The death of Abdoulaye Ba has transformed an economic protest into a national human rights issue, placing at the center of public debate the protection of students, the right to education, and the proportional use of force by authorities.