On the night of January 31, 2001, during major student demonstrations at UCAD protests concerning demands such as increased scholarships and improved study conditions, Balla Gaye was shot in the back.

These were the early years of Abdoulaye Wade's regime (elected in 2000), which reinforces the political and symbolic nature of the case. Balla Gaye's death embodies both the fragility of freedoms in certain historical periods and the importance of student mobilization for rights and dignity. Through his name, many students remember that the gains—scholarships, university privileges, better conditions—often come at a price. But also that justice must be an essential pillar: a student killed for demanding rights deserves truth and reparations. Balla Gaye's story is repeating itself under Macky Sall's regime.

On May 15, 2018, Fallou Sène, a second-year undergraduate student of Modern Literature at Gaston Berger University (UGB) in Saint-Louis, was shot and killed during clashes between students and law enforcement. The students were demonstrating to demand the payment of their scholarships, which were significantly delayed. A protest erupted on campus, primarily related to financial difficulties and the scholarship delays. Law enforcement intervened to disperse the students.

During the confrontation, a shot fatally struck Fallou Sène. His death sent shockwaves through the nation, followed by widespread outrage in academic, political, and civil society circles. History often repeats itself, sometimes as a comedy for some, and as a tragedy for others. The issue of university scholarship payments is a recurring one in Senegal, and each regime has handled it in its own way. The sensitivity of this subject is such that all Senegalese presidents have always been careful to address it rigorously.

While salaries are certainly sacred, scholarships are just as important to students. President Abdoulaye Wade expanded the aid program, and President Macky Sall increased scholarship amounts, it is now up to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to ensure their timely payment. In this context, certain unauthorized voices would be wise to refrain from dwelling unnecessarily on the subject, at the risk of creating sterile controversies and inflaming tensions. The remarks recently made in the National Assembly by a member of parliament comparing the Senegalese university system to that of Canada are particularly ill-advised, demonstrating a clear lack of understanding of our realities.

1. The awarding of scholarships has always been selective.

It is important to remember that not all students receive scholarships. Only those who meet the criteria established by law are eligible. Others can apply for social assistance of 100,000 CFA francs, but this assistance is no longer as widespread as it was under President Wade. It, too, is therefore selective. To claim today that scholarships should be selective demonstrates a regrettable ignorance, all the more unacceptable coming from an elected official.

2. The sacred nature of the stock exchange

The sanctity of student grants is no longer in question. All previous regimes have had to address this issue and have often resolved it collaboratively, involving the relevant stakeholders. It was not uncommon for the Prime Minister or the Minister of Finance to intervene to arbitrate and prevent the escalation of tensions on student residences. The events of recent days could result in damages estimated at several billion CFA francs, while alternative solutions exist to mitigate the impact. Certain revenues from major national agencies could be temporarily allocated to the grant fund. Similarly, financial and strategic partners, as well as donors present in Senegal, can be approached. Several regimes have used these methods to manage the emergency.

3. The need for a presidential address

In the current context, a statement from the President of the Republic is essential to reassure students and all Senegalese people.

The country needs significant resources to meet the demands of public procurement, finance major infrastructure projects, and support young people and women with entrepreneurial initiatives. It is becoming increasingly urgent to definitively resolve the issue of additional resources for state financing in order to prevent this type of crisis from recurring.

Babou DIOUF Former union member at the Faculty of Law Former student representative