"International Student Movement"

Hunger Strike at the University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD)

More than 100 students from the Faculty of Humanities have begun a hunger strike, demanding the re-opening of their union dissolved two years ago for security reasons. Very determined, students of the faculty stormed the lobby of the faculty, to be heard. Mattresses on the floor, the students decided not to eat, starting this Monday, April 19. In the opinion of one of the hunger strikers, Dean of the Faculty of Letters, Saliou Ndiaye, does not wish to receive the students to discuss the establishment of the union.

One of the strikers has been evacuated to the medical university.
Students will not back down until their demands are met. Note that the Rector of the University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Abdou Salam Sall, had, at the 4th General Assembly of the Association for University of La Francophonie (Aouf), argued before the students that "the provisions will made for the establishment of your union a reality" However, from side of the administration of FLSH, no comments were made on the issue.

 

::: UPDATES :::

• “The hunger strike is suspended. However, if tomorrow, the General Assembly of teachers reaches a decision that does not meet our expectations, it is they who will have posed the act of violence. We take the students and the authorities as witnesses if they drift. We ask for something written and concrete from the admi...nistration at this time to reassure us." - Boully Galissa, coordinator of the students for the restoration of the union

• After three days, the hunger strike at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FLSH) at UCAD has been suspended today by the students.
  University officials will have a General Assembly meeting tomorrow to decide on the students' demands.

• Progress: meeting with the school administration tomorrow! Today ended calmly with visits from the university, media and other orgs. Everybody is tired but well.

• 100+ students on hunger strike/ étudiants en grève de la faim @ Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines/UCAD.

• Students at Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines at Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal are taking nonviolent action to reestablish their union and to protect their rights. Become a fan of this group to show your support!

• The fire is smoldering in the Faculty of Humanities of the University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD). A group created by students began the stand-off last Thursday [April 15th] for the restoration of their union which has been suspended by the school for 2 years. The protesters intend to switch into high gear on Monday to be heard. [report in French]
  

[posted April 22nd - 2am GMT]