In Senegal, the situation is tense following violent clashes that resulted in one death on the campus of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar. While the majority of the 109 students detained at the beginning of the week were released after questioning on February 11, the police have decided to extend the detention of three leaders of student organizations. This prolonged detention has sparked anxiety among other student leaders, who have expressed feelings of being hunted and are reportedly seeking refuge in safe locations.

The violence that erupted on campus has raised significant alarm within the student community. The clashes not only resulted in injuries but also resulted in tragic loss of life, further intensifying protests and expressions of outrage among the students. The extension of custody for the three leaders is viewed as a means by authorities to reassert control and deter further unrest, yet it has the potential to exacerbate tensions amid growing fears of a crackdown on dissent.

As the situation unfolds, the student population and their organizations are becoming increasingly vocal about their concerns over civil liberties and the treatment of their peers. Many students believe that the authorities are using excessive force to clamp down on student activism, which could have long-term implications for academic freedom and political expression in the country. The events at UCAD may signal a broader struggle for representation and a response to the broader socio-political issues facing Senegal.