The Senegalese government has expressed deep condolences over the recent death of Abdoulaye Ba, a second-year dental surgery student at Cheikh Anta Diop University, who lost his life amid escalating protests related to unpaid financial aid. Tensions have been rising at the university for weeks as students voiced their frustrations over financial issues, prompting clashes with security forces. Minister of the Interior, Mouhamadou Bamba Cissé, emphasized the tragic nature of this incident and assured the public that an investigation is ongoing to understand the events that led to Ba's death.

Eyewitness reports and social media videos depicted a chaotic scene on campus during the protests, with security forces deploying tear gas against students who responded by throwing stones. Cissé acknowledged that violence occurred on both sides during these clashes, condemning the excessive use of force by security personnel. He confirmed that some students had taken aggressive actions, including attacking a food hall, which contributed to the volatile atmosphere on campus.

This incident marks a significant and concerning development in the context of ongoing protests in Senegal aimed at addressing student grievances, particularly around financial aid. The government's response and the outcomes of the investigation will be closely monitored as this tragedy underscores a larger issue of student dissatisfaction and governmental accountability in Senegal.