Student union vows to continue its protests over services

Protests by the National Union of Mauritanian Students, or UNEM, have entered a third month over demands related to educational services, including housing and transport for students and the allocation of scholarships.

UNEM, which has criticised the authorities for calling the police to clamp down on peaceful protesters, has vowed to continue on its “legitimate path of struggle”.

The students began their protests on 13 December 2023 and their last gathering was on 14 February 2024 in front of the ministry of higher education and scientific research.

Mohamed Hamady Sidihelballa, the assistant secretary general for external relations of UNEM, told University World News the only response the students have had was a 10 January statement full of “empty words”.

“Nothing has been implemented on the ground to end the suffering of students and [deal with] the deterioration of university services. Therefore, we are continuing our struggle until the student demands are met,” Sidihelballa said.

The student leader, in an earlier interview with TV France, accused the ministry of undermining freedom of expression protected under the constitution. He said the ministry called the police who arrested some students and used violence to end the protests. Several students were allegedly hospitalised.

The National Union of Moroccan Students, in a statement of solidarity, has also called for the violence against peaceful protesters to end.

Students’ demands

According to a UNEM statement, its urgent demands include the continuation of services for students in university housing, a review of the criteria for scholarships, a review of a transport agreement to ensure an increase in the number of routes and buses, and better restaurant meals.

University World News reported in August last year about a group of students who staged a protest sit-in in front of the ministry about the lack of transparency in the awarding of foreign scholarships.

In addition to again calling for greater transparency in this matter, UNEM has also called for the provisioning of books to university libraries, offering masters degrees in all institutions, updating educational curricula, and equipping laboratories suitable for students of scientific and professional specialisations.

According to UNEM, more transparency in the allocation of places to study abroad was needed to counter “rampant” clientelism and nepotism in most higher education institutions.

Ministry response

Idoumou El-abasse, adviser to the minister of higher education and scientific research, told University World News the ministry’s position remains as was communicated in its 10 January statement.

According to the statement, the ministry viewed the student gathering, led by UNEM, as unjustified and that it was doing everything in its power to ensure the best educational conditions.

“The ministry’s door remains open to student unions, including UNEM, even though it seeks to disrupt the academic year without objective reason,” read the statement.

In response to the ministry statement, Mohamed Yahya Al-Mustafa, the secretary general of UNEM, said at a news conference that the ministry’s statement contained many inaccuracies.

According to him, nothing came of the petitions UNEM filed in 2023 and the subsequent pledges by the relevant authorities to address these concerns.

“The students’ demands are legitimate, realistic and achievable, and the ministry and the relevant authorities have the resources to cover them,” he said.

He said the union was set on continuing its “legitimate path of struggle” until its demands are met and the situation of the students and the educational system improve.