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A Call for Solidarity and Humanitarian Aid for Sudanese Students and Youth Affected by War

05.01.2024
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Joint Statement

Joint Statement 

Title: A Call for Solidarity and Humanitarian Aid for Sudanese Students  and Youth Affected by War 

The All-Africa Students Union, European Students Union, World Assembly  of Youth and Global Student Forum stand in solidarity with the General  Sudanese Students Union. We strongly condemn the atrocities committed  against civilians and students due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, and we  call for urgent action to protect their right to education. 

Sudan has been plagued by violence and instability since the overthrow of  President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, which sparked an uprising and a power sharing agreement between the military and civilian forces. However, on  15th of April 2023, an armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese  Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has since  led to a number of serious human rights violations, including, according to  the United Nations1, the brutal crackdown on protesters and civilians, and  the killing, raping, and torturing of civilians by the RSF. As a result, the  conflict has created a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people killed  and displaced. 

The Impact on Education and Students  

The war in Sudan has had a devastating impact on students particularly.  Schools and Universities have been forced to close, hence students are  unable to continue their studies and their safety and well-being have been  compromised. This has led to the interruption of courses, the delay of  studies, and the postponement of their graduation indefinitely, leaving  students uncertain about their future. Moreover, the ongoing war has led to  a great number of primary, secondary schools and universities to be looted, damaged, or subject to military occupation. For example, the University of  Khartoum, Al Neelain University, the Sudan University of Science and  Technology, and the Ahfad University for Women, have been forced to close  down due to the ongoing conflict.2 Put into context, the closure of these  

1 https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/08/un-experts-alarmed-reported-widespread-use rape-and-sexual-violence-against 

2https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2023/06/sudans-war-disrupts-universities-leaving-more-students-in limbo/

schools and universities, in Sudan, has displaced about 2.5 million students3.  This has consequently stifled education in Sudan and left the education  system in limbo about how to move forward and provide essential services. 

Previously, the successive conflicts in Sudan put nearly 3 million children  and youth out of school. The situation is likely to worsen with the current  conflict ongoing in Sudan. The education gap that has existed is likely to  worsen if the conflict does not end anytime soon. The case is especially dire  for marginalised groups including persons with disabilities and young girls  living in affected zones. 

Many students and young people have been caught in the crossfire and  have become victims of the war.4 Hence, students in Khartoum and  neighbouring territories have been advised to avoid roaming the streets  amidst the ongoing conflict. Additionally, Khartoum is home to many  displaced students from other regions who have fled violence and  persecution. These students face additional challenges such as lack of  access to basic services, documentation, and protection.  

This situation extends to international students of around 24,000 male and  female students from 91 countries that have been studying in Sudan,  hosting mostly African students from countries such as Egypt, Nigeria,  Chad, South Sudan, Kenya and Somalia or from the Middle East. Sudanese  universities attract students who cannot afford education in countries with  high tuition fees and offer crucial courses such as Arabic language and  Islamic studies.5 Moreover, universities in Sudan receive a large portion of  their funding from international students. However, the conflict has forced  students to leave the country with a high probability of not returning. Future  recruitment will become more challenging due to the devastation and  impacts of the ongoing conflict. The war has worsened a series of setbacks  Sudanese education has been facing, such as an ongoing crisis due to the  lack of qualified teachers, low vaccination rates and the legacy of Covid 19.  

3 https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-situation-report-22-june-2023 

4 https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230726182748493 

5 https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2023/06/sudans-war-disrupts-universities-leaving-more-students-in limbo/ 

https://www.hrw.org/report/2015/09/09/men-no-mercy/rapid-support-forces-attacks-against-civilians darfur-sudan

The burning of Al-Mashriq University in Khartoum is a tragic example of the  war crimes that have left the country devastated. The destruction of the  University’s main campus, along with students’ records, projects, and  computers, has left the future of these students uncertain. This is a  deliberate act of violence against education and a violation of the Safe  Schools Declaration. 

The Omdurman Ahlia University in Sudan is another example of a higher  education institution that has been the target of deliberate attacks. A fire  that was believed to have been started by looters erupted at the University  and resulted in thousands of historical records, research papers, and books  being destroyed, leaving Sudan’s history archives and culture in ruins. 

Demands 

In light of this dire situation, we urge the international community to take  immediate and effective measures to support Sudanese students and  safeguard their right to education. We demand that: 

● The responsible parties stop their attacks on civilians and students,  respect human rights and international humanitarian law (Safe  Schools Declaration6), and withdraw from educational institutions  and facilities. 

● The Sudanese authorities hold accountable those responsible for the  violence and ensure justice for the victims. 

● The human right to education is protected and prioritised in any  peace negotiations and political settlements. 

● The humanitarian agencies provide humanitarian emergency  assistance to students affected by the war, such as food, water, shelter,  health care, psychosocial support, and protection. 

● The educational authorities facilitate the evacuation of students from  conflict zones and opening safe passages to ensure their safety and  security. 

● The academic institutions help in digitalising/securing proof of  secondary and tertiary education qualifications for students who have  lost or damaged their records due to the war. 

● The scholarship providers offer Students At Risk scholarships for  Sudanese students at risk who wish to continue their studies abroad  or in safe areas within Sudan. 

6 The Safe Schools Declaration. https://ssd.protectingeducation.org/

● Nations worldwide, especially those with established educational  infrastructures, expedite and facilitate the process of granting refugee  status to displaced Sudanese students. 

● The international community allocates funds and resources for the  protection, repair, and rehabilitation of schools, universities, and other  educational institutions that have been damaged or destroyed during  the conflict. 

● International organisations, NGOs, and development partners  collaborate to establish temporary learning centres in safe zones to  ensure that learning continues. 

● Global educational institutions, inter-governmental and civil society  organisations launch awareness and advocacy campaigns  highlighting the plight of Sudanese students. 

We stand with our fellow students and their relatives in Sudan who are  facing unimaginable hardships and risks. We call on all stakeholders to join  us in solidarity and support for their cause. Education is a human right that  must be protected at all times. No student should be denied their right to  learn or live in peace.

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