Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) is experiencing a major crisis. Following the tragic death of a student during violent clashes, the administration has taken the drastic decision to suspend all student associations until further notice.

A climate of extreme tension

The tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of recurring social unrest. For several days, students had been demonstrating to demand payment of months of back scholarships. These demands escalated into violent clashes with law enforcement, a sadly common occurrence within the institution, where payment delays are chronic.

The circumstances of the death

Student Abdoulaye Ba lost his life on campus during a police intervention. While the exact circumstances remain to be officially clarified, the testimonies and images circulating on social media are damning:

1. Documented violence: Videos show police officers entering houses, using tear gas and beating individuals with batons.
2. Accusations from the group: The student associations denounce "torture to death" and a brutal intrusion into the living spaces of students.
3. Government reaction: While speaking of a "tragedy" and admitting "police misconduct", the Minister of the Interior justified the intervention by the need to protect university infrastructure against attempts at vandalism.

Interim measures and the future of representation

Meeting urgently on February 11, the UCAD academic council made its decision:

1. Immediate suspension: The social clubs are frozen to guarantee the safety of property and people.
2. Upcoming reform: A special committee has been formed to consider a new way of representing students within the university's governing bodies.

A fundamental structural problem

Beyond the security incident, the very organization of the academic year is at issue. The overlapping academic calendars disrupt administrative management, leading to critical payment delays for students who depend on these scholarships to live and study.