In Senegal, university campuses have turned into battlegrounds in recent days. Student protests against delays in scholarship payments and food insecurity have escalated into violent clashes with security forces, resulting in the deaths of two students: Abdoulaye Ba at UCAD in Dakar and another at UGB in Saint-Louis.
Explosive Violence on Campuses
It all began on February 9, 2026, at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar. Furious over scholarship arrears and the suspension of “ticket-free days” at university cafeterias—a vital measure during exam period—students erected barricades and threw stones at police. Officers responded with tear gas, even inside residences, heightening tensions. At Gaston Berger University (UGB) in Saint-Louis, similar clashes paralyzed the city, blocking the Faidherbe Bridge and using force to disperse protesters.
Abdoulaye Ba, a second-year medical student at UCAD’s Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odontostomatology (FMPOS), was rushed to Dakar’s Principal Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. In Saint-Louis, a geography undergraduate from UGB died at the regional hospital from wounds sustained in related clashes.
Sonko Breaks Silence: “Students Are Not Criminals!”
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko responded forcefully, stating that “UCAD is not a battlefield, students are not criminals” and urging police not to repress these youth. He deemed their demands legitimate and called for dialogue, criticizing excessive police force on campuses. The government offered condolences and pledged a thorough investigation to “shed full light” on these tragedies .
Stakes and Outlook
These events reflect persistent social tensions in Senegal, where student hardship fuels growing discontent. As exams loom, the crisis could worsen without swift government action. Popular figure Sonko may play a key role in calming tempers, but police repression leaves deep scars. It’s time for dialogue before the country spirals further.
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