A medical student died following violent clashes between security forces and students protesting payment delays of their scholarships at a university in Dakar.
In Dakar, a medical student named Abdoulaye Ba died as a result of violent confrontations between students and police at Cheikh Anta Diop University. The clashes were sparked by ongoing protests against delays in scholarship payments, which have been a source of frustration for students across Senegal in recent months. The government confirmed the student’s death, which they described as a grave incident during the protests that erupted on February 9, 2026.
The protests have been part of a broader wave of student unrest in Senegal, with many universities experiencing sporadic demonstrations demanding the disbursement of overdue scholarship payments. Students argue that the delays in financial support severely impact their educational pursuits and well-being, leading to the mounting frustrations that culminated in the recent violence. The death of Abdoulaye Ba has raised alarms over police response and the increasing tensions between students and law enforcement.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the education sector in Senegal, reflecting not only the immediate grievances related to financial disbursements but also a deeper discontent with the government's handling of student welfare. With calls for accountability and a review of police tactics in handling such protests, the situation may prompt further discussions on educational funding and workers' rights in the country, raising concerns about broader societal implications of unrest among the youth population.
