Student violence at Omdurman Islamic University in Sudan

A group of students affiliated to the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) ‘arrested’ two students and assaulted dozens more with sharp machetes at Omdurman Islamic University in Khartoum on Monday. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the NCP students entered the dormitories at the Shambat Faculty of Agriculture assaulting students and burning four rooms, including a political discussion corner. The assault is an apparent reaction to the rejection of Darfuri students at the University of Khartoum of the decision by the Ministry of Higher Education that has banned political activity by affiliates of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front at national universities. “We categorically reject the decision that neutralises the activity of students and opposition entities within the University of Khartoum or other Sudanese universities,” one Darfuri activist at Khartoum University told Radio Dabanga. “The decision as a violation of the mission of the university and the fundamental role it must play in building students’ personalities and abilities whether academic, economic or in all fields of science.” An exhibition on Darfur that has been running at the University of Khartoum will conclude its activities on Thursday. One of the student organisers explained to Radio Dabanga that “the goal of the exhibition is to reflect the heritage of Darfur”. “We want students to forget the differences between them and to promote the State by expressing their cultures and opinions, as well as demonstrating the diversity of the Darfur region to people from other areas. File photo: Damage to dormitories from an earlier fire at Khartoum University Related: Four students injured in shooting at El Fasher University, North Darfur (21 May 2013) Darfur students blame Sudan militias for fire at Khartoum University (28 March 2013)