The rector of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), Alioune Badara Kandji, has begun a series of meetings with university stakeholders in order to restore calm to the social campus, shaken by violence that cost the life of student Abdoulaye Ba.

According to a press release sent to APS and reported by Seneweb, Professor Kandji met successively with representatives of the Autonomous Union of Higher Education Teachers (SAES), the UCAD section of the Unified Union of Teachers of Senegal/Higher Education and Research (SUDES/ESR), and the inter-union of Administrative, Technical, and Service Staff (PATS). The stated objective was to explore ways to resolve the crisis.

Facing the rector, the trade union organizations insisted on the need to calm the situation and to prioritize dialogue.

"We must save the year and protect the university from all violence," said Professor Mamadou Bodian, coordinator of SAES for the Dakar campus.

Professor Sylvestre Kouakou, representing SUDES/ESR, emphasized that dialogue "is the only solution" and that it must include students. The administrative and technical staff (PATS) shared this view, believing that negotiations must involve "those elected by their peers."

The unions have made several demands: the release of the students still detained, the reopening of the social campus and the restoration of the student associations.

On this point, Rector Kandji specified that of the 107 students arrested, 104 have already been released. The remaining three have been referred to the public prosecutor's office, a procedure over which he stated he could not intervene. Regarding the student social center, he expressed hope for its reopening "as soon as possible." As for the suspension of student associations, he presented it as a precautionary measure, likely to be lifted by the Academic Council as soon as calm is restored.

The statement also informs that the rector visited the home of the family of the deceased Abdoulaye Ba on Monday to offer his condolences, accompanied by a delegation composed of deans, collaborators, social partners and members of the social dialogue committee.

"The social partners have expressed their willingness to support the rectorate in the search for a solution," the text concludes.