Dakar, Senegal – Unrest continues at Cheikh-Anta-Diop University, where students have been protesting the government’s failure to provide financial aid for over a year. The demonstrations, which began in early December 2025, have escalated into violent clashes with police, spreading to other institutions across the capital.
Thirteen Months Without Bursaries
Students say they have gone 13 months without receiving their study bursaries, leaving many unable to afford basic necessities. For them, the situation has become untenable, prompting repeated protests since December.
Security forces have responded with teargas after students threw rocks during demonstrations, intensifying tensions on campus and beyond.
Closure of Student Canteens
On Friday, the situation worsened when the CROUS (Regional Centre for University Services) announced the closure of all student canteens after dinner, citing “acts of sabotage” by students.
The move followed a campaign by students calling for “days without tickets” a refusal to pay for meals in protest against the delayed bursary payments.
Protests Spread Across Universities
The CROUS decision triggered fresh demonstrations across Dakar, with students staging protests at multiple universities. Heavy clashes with police were reported, as frustration over financial aid delays boiled over into citywide unrest.
Conclusion
The escalating protests at Cheikh-Anta-Diop University highlight the deep strain between students and authorities in Senegal. With bursary payments overdue for more than a year and student services now disrupted, the crisis underscores the urgent need for dialogue and resolution to restore calm and safeguard education.
