The death of Abdoulaye Ba, a second-year dental student at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, has deeply moved the nation. Information released by the prosecutor indicates that he died from a fall from the fourth floor while trying to escape a fire. The justice system must rigorously establish any potential liability. The truth remains an essential prerequisite.

Beyond the circumstances, this tragedy highlights long-standing structural weaknesses. University crises in Senegal result from uncontrolled massification, an excessive concentration of students in Dakar, recurring politicization of the campus, and governance too often guided by urgency rather than strategy.

Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar currently hosts more students than it can accommodate; the campus remains under constant pressure. In such an environment, even the slightest tension can escalate. This situation calls for decisive action.

Territorial reform appears to be a promising avenue. The gradual relocation of certain faculties would help alleviate congestion in Dakar and better distribute university offerings across the country. Diamniadio possesses modern, underutilized infrastructure, notably the building originally designed to house the United Nations. Its repurposing deserves consideration.

An integrated legal hub could bring together the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FSJP), specialized professional schools, and the Dakar court. An economic hub could include the Faculty of Economics and Management (FASEG), business schools, and a startup incubator. Such an organization would strengthen the link between academic training and practical experience.

The historic Dakar campus would benefit from being refocused on strategic programs such as the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odonto-Stomatology (FMPOS), which require specialized technical facilities. Programs within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FLSH) and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) could be developed in the regions as part of a planned national university development policy.

The reform also extends to academics. Universities are called upon to reconcile accessibility with high standards. Controlled enrollment, more rigorous guidance, and merit-based selection are essential. Access cannot be automatic for every high school graduate; it requires clear criteria of aptitude and academic focus.

Our education system also needs to be rebalanced. The country needs practical technical skills: electricity, mechanics, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning, tiling, masonry, industrial maintenance, modern agriculture, and artificial intelligence. Short technical training courses, followed by significant experience before selective access to higher education, would allow for better alignment with productive needs.

University governance is another priority. The Dakar University Social Services Center (COUD) is responsible for ensuring the security of the infrastructure and a peaceful environment. The campus must remain a space dedicated to knowledge, free from political, religious, or identity-based divisions. Security forces are called upon to intervene with coordination and anticipation to prevent any loss of life.

The decision by the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Bamba Cissé, to dismiss certain senior officials sends a strong institutional signal. It serves as a reminder that in a state governed by the rule of law, all authority implies responsibility.

The death of Abdoulaye Ba cannot be just another episode. It could mark a turning point. Mourning his passing is a duty; ensuring the long-term stability of our university through coherent decisions is now a national imperative.

Abdoulaye Dieng, Entrepreneur