SRF’s student organisations banned from political activities on campus
June 1, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government has banned student organisation loyal to rebel groups from practising political activities inside all universities following recent escalation of military operations in North and South Kordofan states.
On May 27, the Sudanese army recaptured Abu-Kershola but SRF rebels said on Friday that they downed a military helicopter near Abu-Kershola where a Sudanese army top commander was on a visit to inspect the recently reclaimed area.
The head of the pro-government General Sudanese Students’ Union (GSSU), Mohammed Salah, told the state news agency SUNA that the minister of higher education has issued a decree banning SRF and its loyal student groups from practising political activities inside universities.
Salah added that the move aims at securing and strengthening the internal front, pointing that SRF and its “tail” betrayed peoples’ “constants” by denying adherence to the political process and resorting to arms.
The student official further mentioned that a battalion comprised of students is now stationed in Abu-Kershols alongside the army and the other regular forces, stressing that regaining control of Abu-Kershola is one step towards liberating all rebel-held areas and cleansing South Kordofan of SRF and its agents.
SRF is an umbrella group comprising the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N), two factions of the Darfur rebels Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
Rebel groups have their own political arms inside Sudan’s universities such as the United People’s Front which is considered the political forefront of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdel Wahid group, and student groups members of JEM and SPLM-N.
Freedom of political activity on campus, which is guaranteed by Sudan’s universities law, is considered part of the student movement’s legacies in its peaceful struggle for democracy.
(ST)