Violent clashes break out between students at Khartoum university

June 3, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Five students were injured at Khartoum university in clashes that erupted between those belonging to the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) others loyal to the rebel at the school of agriculture.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that knives, metal bars and sticks were used during the clashes which spread throughout the halls forcing female students to leave and causing disruption of lectures for several hours.

Pro-NCP students wore red headbands which signals the use of violence against students loyal to the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), a coalition of armed movements fighting Khartoum in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

The government sponsored Sudanese Media Center (SMC) website reported the clashes but described them as “limited” which resulted from intellectual disagreements.

The University of Khartoum called on all students to observe the laws and regulations governing student activities stressing that it deals with all students on an equal footing and urged them to refrain from violence and respect each others’ opinions as they represent the future of the nation.

The incident comes a week after Sudanese officials including 2nd Vice President al-Haj Adam Youssef announced a ban on political activities of pro-SRF students in universities.

This is the first clash of its kind between NCP and pro-SRF students in a Sudanese university.

Last December wide protests broke out following the discovery of the bodies of four students from Darfur found in a canal.

At the time students from Sudan’s western Darfur region were reportedly attacked by NCP in some universities.

(ST)