Budget rejection in Senegal raises fears of unpaid student grants
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Senego
Illustrative image · Mikhail Nilov · Pexels · Licence PexelsStudents at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar fear that the parliamentary rejection of two budget texts could threaten their grants, which range from 40,000 to 60,000 CFA francs, according to EnQuête+. In 2014, a delay in paying the grants had already sparked clashes between students and police.
On the campus of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar (UCAD), some students are worried about the payment of their grants, as neither the initial finance law nor the amended finance law has been adopted, according to EnQuête+. They fear the budget deadlock will affect higher education and their allowances, which they put at 40,000 or 60,000 CFA francs.
In 2014, a delay in paying grants had led to clashes between students and police officers, during which the student Bassirou Fall lost his life. That same year, the minister responsible for higher education had the funds paid into 62,500 bank accounts.
Humanities student Borgo Sy considers the situation abnormal and fears that students will pay the price of the standoff between opposition and ruling-party deputies. Djim Samb believes the opposition has shown democratic maturity by standing up to the government, but calls on the government to open discussions. Law students Karamba Mendy and Mamadou Lamine Diédhiou are calling for a resolution: Mendy demands tighter oversight of special funds, while Diédhiou defends the monitoring of government action.
On 8 November, the 2027 higher education budget was rejected in Senegal, amid this deadlock.
