N’Djamena University strike in support of excluded students

Students are striking at the University of N’Djamena in Chad over the refusal of the institution’s management to reinstate 32 students who had been excluded for bad behaviour, even after a court order ruled that they should be re-enrolled.

As tensions mounted, students called the strike on 31 January, seriously disrupting the running of the university, reported Omondo.

A long-standing conflict between the students and the university administration was at the root of the crisis, exacerbated by recent legal decisions, reported Omondo.

While some students had been excluded for disciplinary offences, the courts had ordered their reintegration, ruling that the disciplinary procedures had not been respected or were riddled with irregularities.

UNET, the national union of Chadian students, called for students to boycott courses from 1 February in solidarity with the excluded students and called for a national strike until all its claims were met, reported TchadInfos.

It quoted UNET’s president, Mahamat Saleh Ahmat Ali, as saying: “You will remember that, on 4 August 2023, 32 students unjustly excluded were acquitted by the court … The presidency of the University of N’Djamena was notified of this decision with a view to its application.

“But, to general surprise, the presidency of N’Djamena did not carry it out. The excluded students filed proceedings to rejoin the lecture halls, conforming to the legal notice, but in vain.”

Persistent tensions

After two months without any result, an ultimatum of 72 hours sent to the university management and several days of peaceful marches, UNET had launched a call for national strike action, as police “who were supposed to supervise us prioritised the use of force”, TchadInfos reported Ahmat Ali as saying.

The strike rapidly had an impact on the smooth running of courses, disrupting the academic calendar and creating a climate of uncertainty among the students, reported Omondo. The strikers’ demands concentrated mostly on the rehabilitation of the excluded students and for a guarantee of respect for students’ rights.

As well as the immediate consequences for the university’s operations, the crisis raised wider questions concerning access to education and respect for the rights of Chadian students, said Omondo.

It said the situation at N’Djamena highlighted persistent tensions between students and Chad’s university management, as well as shortcomings in the education system regarding respect for students’ rights and equity.

To avoid an escalation of tensions and to guarantee a favourable environment for learning, it was essential for all parties to engage in open and constructive dialogue to achieve a negotiated and sustainable resolution, it said. — Compiled by Jane Marshall.

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