Khartoum University partially suspends lectures

May 03, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The University of Khartoum has partially suspended lectures and closed eight colleges in its old building along the Nile Avenue.

On Tuesday, University of Khartoum Deans Council suspended classes after renewed clashes between students and police turning streets around the university to what looked like a military barracks after a heavy deployment of police and other security forces.

The council blamed students for the “dangerous developments” that threatened the stability of the university.

Eyewitnesses said that heavy police forces were deployed around the university and security forces extensively used tears gas to disperse rioters. Activists posted photos on social media for students claimed to be injured in clashes with police.

In a communiqué issued on Tuesday the University’s Deans Council blamed students for the escalating violence and suspended indefinitely lectures in eight college located in the university buildings in central Khartoum.

The partial closure of University of Khartoum is the third of its kind among Sudanese universities in the past four weeks.

University of Kordofan was closed on April 19 after the killing of one student and injuring 20 others. Last week, Ahlia University, in Omdurman, was closed after clashes between students supporting opposition parties and others loyal to the government. One student was killed and others were injured.

University of Khartoum Deans Council statement said that the eight colleges were closed to safeguard students, staff and properties. “University of Khartoum will implement regulations against the violence culprits, against those involved in attacking teaching staff, those incited violence or damaged the university assets,” reads the statement.

In addition, the statement criticized some students’ behaviour towards its teaching staff and for hurting some security guards who sustained injurers.

University of Khartoum former Chancellor was attacked by some students when he blamed them for forcing their colleagues to leave a lecture room. “Breaking gates and forcing students to leave lecture rooms is shameful and students’ regulations will be enforced,” said that statement.

The decision to suspend university classes is seen as a bid to curb the outbreak of demonstrations against the deteriorating economic situation in the country, which coincided with the call of opposition forces to topple the ruling regime.

(ST)