Darfuri students at West Kordofan University boycott exams

Darfuri students at the University of West Kordofan in En Nahud boycotted their exams on Sunday because the University’s administration did not meet their demands. The 450 students requested that the University provide protection and stability. They hold members of the Administration and the Students’ Union accountable for the insecurity, as they participated in the targeting of Darfuri students at the University. The students also demanded the release of the supervisor of the Darfur Students Association, Dr Siddiq Nurein, who was arrested on 16 January. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Abdel Rafi Mohamed Ali, secretary general of the Darfur Students Association at the University of West Kordofan, reported that on Sunday the 450 Darfuri students boycotted the exams. 250 other students who have not yet started are going to do the same. Ali pointed to the students’ resignations submitted collectively early this year because of the University’s reluctance to meet their demands concerning protection. He warned that in case the Administration refuses again to respond to the students’ demands, including the release of Dr Nurein, the students “will all return to their homes, because sitting at home is more honourable for them than being persecuted, beaten, and abused”.  File photo: Students of the University of El Fasher during a debate (Albert Gonzalez Farran/Unamid) Related:West Kordofan lecturer arrested because of Darfuri students (17 January 2014)Police storms West Kordofan university, injures students and lecturer (27 December 2014)