By: Aja Beyai
The atmosphere at the University of The Gambia has been tense and chaotic since Monday when a group of concerned students and the UTG Faculty and Staff began their strike actions over the dismissal of two senior lecturers.
Following the Monday campus protest, the students are now venting their collective frustration at the leadership of their main Union for more standing by them in protesting for their rights and interests.
In a statement seen by TAT, the group leaders are calling for the resignation of the entire Executive Council of the University of the Gambia Students Union. Following the explosive demand for the resignation of the Students’ Union Executive.
The group accuses the UTGSU leadership of incompetence and complicity in a police crackdown on harmless protesting on campus, leading to the hospitalization of some students affected by teargas.
“It is evident that our Union leaders have demonstrated incompetence and lack of interest in fighting for the general student body,” the statement reads. It went further to say: “The education and the standards at the University of the Gambia are being threatened due to the fact that we do not have genuine student representatives; their interest is in themselves, and sadly, they are all opportunists.”
The call for accountability at the UTGSU leadership level is getting traction among students who are not pleased with the Union’s neutral position amidst the crisis that is putting students’ interests on the cliff. These students expressed discontent, saying they lack proper representation and thus demanding leadership that genuinely prioritizes students’ interests and welfare.
“The students’ union has not only distanced itself from fighting for the interest of the students but also participated in intimidating students with the security officers alongside the press release by the office of the IGP,” the state statement laments.
The group gives an ultimatum for the resignation of the entire UTGSU Executive Council. As the deadline for the resignation looms, students are preparing for another potential protest at the Peace Building, Kanifing Campus.
“Since the purpose of the student leaders has been defeated, which has also led to the hospitalization of four of our peaceful demonstrating students, who were victims of an irresponsible paramilitary officer and several others that suffered from this notorious act,” the group demands the immediate resignation of the entire 22nd Executive Council.
The group leaders continue to say in the statement, “Failure to resign with immediate effect within Twenty-Four Hours (24hrs) will attract an immediate and similar protest at the Peace Building.”
Earlier today, the Gambia Police Force wrote on its Facebook page that despite their negotiation efforts on Monday’s student protest, a teargas canon was fired at protesting students by one of their personnel, but assured the public that internal disciplinary action would be taken on the officer.
This situation at the UTG remains tense and getting more complex as students eagerly await the Union’s response to their demands. The outcome of this movement would not only determine the fate of the current leadership but also redefine the relationship between the student body and their representatives at the country’s citadel of knowledge.
