TOGO: Lomé campus closed after student violence

The government of Togo closed the University of Lomé after two days of student protests against the introduction of reforms based on the Bologna process, and against the presence of security forces on campus, reported Radio France Internationale.

Nine students were injured, two seriously, and property was damaged during the demonstrations, said RFI.

Student demands included a halt to the reforms, known in French as LMD (licence, master, doctorat) for the three, five and eight-year degree levels, and restoration of remedial courses and grants. But the university president said the students' demands were "complex" and presented a "real problem"; it was not possible to make concessions "further than we have at present", reported RFI.

The Togolese online journal Rue 228 reported that police "strongly suppressed" with teargas the spontaneous student protest, which had started after a general meeting on Wednesday 25 May called by the students' association Mouvement pour l'épanouissement de l'étudiant (MEET) to discuss student demands.

RFI said the police took action on Thursday against the protesting students after property was damaged, and the government announced closure of the university with effect from Friday until further notice.

Afrique Monde reported that on Monday last week the head of MEET, Abou Seibou, said: "We have negotiated with the authorities, and set out our preliminary demands."

These included "the reopening of the university without the presence of security forces, cancellation of disciplinary action against the organisers of demonstrations, as well as resolution of our concerns. We have given them 48 hours to reflect and find a solution. After that, if nothing is done, we shall carry out other actions," said Seibou.

* This article is drawn from local media. University World News cannot vouch for the accuracy of the original reports.