Calls for axing of vice-chancellor after student’s death

A student representative from the University of Labé in Guinea has demanded the dismissal of the vice-chancellor following the death of a student during clashes with security forces.

Amadou Boukariou Baldé was killed and many other demonstrators wounded on the campus of the university in the north of the country, during protests by sociology students in support of two of their number who had been seriously injured in a road accident and hospitalised. Although they were unfit to take their exams, their departmental head had ordered them to attend – a “humanely unforgivable” demand, according to the protesters, reported Radio France Internationale (RFI).

The protesting students had threatened university authorities who called in law enforcement to contain the demonstrators. Breaking university protocols, the police entered the campus; a violent confrontation then took place, leading to the death of Baldé, reported RFI.

The authorities, including the Vice-Chancellor Mamadou Dia Gongoré Diallo, the head of department and the higher education and research ministry, condemned the strong-armed intervention by the police, reported RFI.

Minister Abdoulaye Yéro Baldé decreed a week of mourning in all higher education institutions and ordered an inquiry into the incident.

A few days after the confrontation, Adama Condé, a student representative from Labé, took part in a radio programme to give his version of events, reported Aminata.

He said the crisis that has shaken the university had been simmering for a long time, and that the vice-chancellor had provoked the disaster by choosing to ignore the students’ representatives. He called for justice for Amadou Baldé and the departure of the vice-chancellor. – Compiled by Jane Marshall

This article is drawn from local media. University World News cannot vouch for the accuracy of the original reports.