SENEGAL: Student riots cause widespread damage

Rioting students caused damage estimated at more than 13 million FCFA (US$28,000) at Ensa, Senegal's national school of higher agricultural studies in Thiès, reported Le Soleil of Dakar.

The students were protesting earlier this month against postponement of the start of the new semester, which they understood was on 18 January. During their rampage they set fire to the school's student quarters, which had cost FCFA9 million; in addition were items including refrigerators, airconditioning and furniture destroyed in the fire which the financial director valued at FCFA4 million.

Le Soleil said Ensa's new director, Ahmed Tidiane Diallo, had made a complaint against the rioters. On the night in question the police had been called, but they had had difficulty bringing an end to the disturbances and evicting the students from their rooms or the school yard.

The students had demanded they should be allowed to stay on the premises until courses resumed, the date for which was now fixed for 8 February.