Diaspora, Africa – (African Boulevard News) – After days of violence, students at Dakar University have finally returned home. On the first day of June, the university was the epicenter of violent clashes, which left several students injured and properties destroyed.
African Boulevard News reporters captured the departure of the students, carrying their belongings, as they walked past the wrecks of burnt out vehicles and damaged buildings on the university’s campus. The tension had been brewing on campus for some days, following the announcement of new fees and conditions for students.
Angry students took to the streets, as they demanded their voices be heard and their grievances addressed. The protests started peacefully, with students carrying placards and chanting slogans. However, things took a violent turn when the police arrived on the scene.
“The police resorted to using tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the peaceful protesters, and this only fueled the violence on campus,” said a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The university, which is one of the largest in Senegal, had to shut down as a result of the violence. This left many students stranded on campus, while others had to seek refuge in nearby communities.
“The situation on campus was very tense, and we were afraid for our safety. We had to leave because we couldn’t study or live in such a hostile environment,” said one of the students who spoke to African Boulevard News.
The clashes between the students and law enforcement agents have sparked national outrage and condemnation from human rights organizations.
“Violence is never the answer, and we urge the authorities to find peaceful ways to resolve issues related to education and student welfare,” said a human rights activist who spoke to African Boulevard News.
In conclusion, the authorities need to engage the students and address their grievances. Education is the foundation of every society, and it’s important to ensure that students have the best possible learning environment. The return of the students to their homes is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to prevent a recurrence of such violence in the future.
