The Collective of Civil Society Organizations for Elections (COSCE) is raising awareness for stability and peace at Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor. This initiative is being carried out through the program called Saxal Jāmm, with the theme "Citizen Jokko for Stability and Peace in the University Environment".

“This intervention aims to promote and strengthen stability, peace, and social cohesion,” stated Papa Assane Tine, the COSCE project manager. He added, “The university environment is perceived as a breeding ground for tensions, often illustrated by the violence during strikes. Therefore, through our action plans, we identified the university environment as a particularly fertile ground for these tensions.” He continued, “As proof, I cite the unfortunate events that often occur during strikes, which we deplore, and which frequently escalate into unprecedented violence, leading to the suspension of student associations here at Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor.”

 

The suspension of student associations at Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor is an example of these tensions, said Mr. Papa Assane Tine, welcoming the decision of the Academic Council to lift the suspension measure with a view to reinstating these student associations.

 

Thus, for the project manager at COSCE, it is imperative to support the process of re-establishing these student associations. And in this spirit of promoting stability and peace within UASZ, Papa Assane Tine recommends the establishment of a lasting and permanent framework for dialogue between student representatives and the administration. He welcomed the existence of a dialogue and mediation committee within the university life department. However, for him, "the challenge is to support the implementation of a sustainable framework to facilitate communication."

 

To achieve this, it is recommended to integrate criteria of excellence into the selection of leaders, as this influences the nature of protest movements.

An initiative welcomed by the students present and invited to this meeting.

 

Jérôme Symbiane, a doctoral student in sociology at UASZ, symbolically chosen in the absence of student associations, praised COSCE's action. He emphasized the importance of student representation and the need for dialogue with the academic administration.

 

According to him, lifting the suspension offers students the opportunity to reactivate their activities, share educational contexts, and find promising prospects for future student representation. This meeting of the collective of student organizations for the elections aims to raise student awareness and take their perspectives into account in the selection criteria for delegates, explained the doctoral student in sociology.

 

“The previous suspension of student associations affected both teaching staff and students, making communication with the university administration and among students difficult. This situation created divisions, with some supporting and others opposing the suspension. The goal is to engage in dialogue with teaching staff to define the strategies to be implemented, particularly regarding the selection of student representatives. It is crucial to ensure that the representatives work towards the proper functioning of the university and respect academic ethics and professional standards,” stated Jérôme Symbiane.

 

Dr. Ousmane Basse, a teacher in the tourism department and director of university life and community services, representing the vice-rector, in turn praised this meeting.

 

“The university has gone through a delicate period, marked by the closure of the university, the cessation of activities and the suspension of student associations. The objective is prevention, by discussing with partners before the problems worsen. [...] The university space is often the scene of movements, involving various components (administrative staff, technical staff, teachers, students),” explained Dr. Basse.

 

And to continue: “Faced with student demands, the rector had two options: close the university or let the situation deteriorate. He chose to close the university and suspend the student associations. The suspension of the associations was motivated by feedback from former delegates who wanted a review of the procedures for electing delegates. Following this strike and this movement, criteria for being a delegate were established.”

 

As part of the process of establishing criteria for delegates, Dr. Ousmane Basse reports that the criteria were discussed at the level of the university life and community services department, shared at the level of the vice-rectorate and amended in the studies committee.

 

These criteria, validated by the Board of Directors and the Academic Council, enabled the Rector to issue an official note, widely circulated within the university community and at the national level, aimed at lifting the suspension of the dissolution of the student associations at UASZ.

 

"Civil society welcomed this step, which allowed the suspension to be lifted and dialogue to resume. Today's event and tomorrow's hike are part of this commitment to dialogue and prevention," said Dr. Ousmane Basse, representing the vice-rector.

 

The importance of dialogue prior to any decision that could harm educational activities was highlighted by society as a determining factor for stability and peace in the university environment, particularly at Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor.