Senegal Shuts Down University of Dakar Social Campus After Student Dies in Clashes

Authorities in Senegal have ordered the temporary closure of the social campus at the University of Dakar following the death of a student during clashes between security forces and protesters, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The Centre des Œuvres Universitaires de Dakar (COUD) announced that the social campus of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) would be closed from midday on Tuesday until further notice, citing instructions from relevant authorities.

Student Death Follows Campus Unrest

The decision comes a day after a student died on Monday evening amid confrontations between students and security forces. The clashes reportedly took place both within the university grounds and on nearby roads in the Senegalese capital, according to multiple sources.

The exact circumstances surrounding the student’s death have not yet been officially established.

Government Pledges Full Investigation

In a statement, government spokesperson Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye said authorities would “shed full light” on the incident. She offered condolences on behalf of the government to the victim’s family, relatives, and the wider academic community.

She added that any potential responsibility would be determined in line with Senegalese laws and regulations, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring campus security and protecting students. Authorities also called for calm and restraint.

Lecturers’ Union Calls for Respect of University Autonomy

The Dakar campus branch of the Autonomous Union of Higher Education (SAES) expressed deep sadness over the death and extended condolences to the bereaved family and the university community.

The union linked the unrest to ongoing tensions over scholarship reforms and long-standing structural challenges within Senegal’s higher education system. It also called for respect for legal protections governing university spaces, stressing that universities should not be treated as security zones.

“Universities are neither military barracks nor testing grounds for security measures,” the union said in a statement.

Protests Spread Beyond Dakar – Senegal

Students have been protesting issues including the closure of university restaurants and changes to scholarship policies. Demonstrations have also been reported at other public universities across the country, notably in Saint-Louis, Thiès, and Ziguinchor.

Authorities have not announced when the campus will reopen.