Students protest at Kordofan University in El Obeid

Hundreds of students from the University of Kordofan in El Obeid, North Kordofan, took to the streets on Wednesday, 19 December, in protest against the murder of four Darfuri students enrolled at Gezira University and the use of excessive violence during student protests at several universities in Khartoum during recent protests. The students denounced the suppression by the government and the rising costs of living. Witnesses from El Obeid recounted to Radio Dabanga that the students started their protest march at the university and marched to El Obeid’s market where a number of students addressed the crowd. The witnesses said that the students ‘strongly’ condemned the killing of four Darfuri students as well the excessive violence used against students during recent protests. Additionally, the students condemned the lack of freedom due to restrictions imposed by the government. They claimed that security agents and police officers beat protesters using batons and sticks as well as tear gas to disperse the crowd. It was reported that the security services arrested a number of students, including the three students who addressed the crowd at El Obeid’s market. Radio Dabanga file photoRelated: Students demand prosecution of alleged murderers  (19 December 2012)