The Association of Senegalese Women Jurists (AJS) condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence that occurred at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD). It also expresses concern about the ongoing deterioration of the university climate.

These tragic events, marked by the death of a student, injuries to his peers and significant material damage, have plunged the university community into a climate of fear and instability.

For the AJS, this is a serious violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to education, physical integrity and academic freedom.

"The university must remain a space for knowledge, debate and civic building, and not a theater of repeated confrontations," the organization stresses.

The AJS offers its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased student, "cut down in the prime of life", and expresses its deepest sympathy.

Beyond the violence itself, the association is concerned about the recurring nature of the crises at UCAD, revealing persistent structural problems: overcrowded staff leading to difficult study conditions, chronic delays in the academic calendar, difficulties related to scholarships and social services, as well as a lack of inclusive and sustainable dialogue between the different actors.

According to the AJS, the repetition of these tensions reflects the absence of structural and lasting solutions, despite the commitments made and the numerous attempts at mediation.

In light of this situation, the association calls on state authorities to conduct a thorough reassessment of the causes of the university crises, particularly at UCAD, and to renew a concrete commitment to a definitive resolution of the identified problems through sustainable and appropriate solutions. It also urges the prioritization of open, inclusive, and ongoing dialogue with all university stakeholders.

The AJS also invites university authorities to put in place an institutionalized framework for consultation and crisis prevention, and calls on student organizations to favour peaceful and responsible modes of expression, banning all forms of violence.

"It is urgent to break with the cycle of tensions in order to restore a climate of trust, security and stability in our universities," the organization insists, recalling that the future of the country rests on a youth that is "educated, listened to and protected".

The Association of Senegalese Women Jurists reaffirms its willingness to contribute, within the framework of its missions, to any initiative aimed at promoting peace, dialogue and respect for fundamental rights within the university environment.