Invited to the "Grand Jury" of RFM this Sunday, February 15, 2026, Alioune Sow, former Minister of Culture under President Macky Sall and leader of the Movement of Patriots for Development (MPD/LIGGEEY), spoke about the university crisis that led to the death of student Abdoulaye Ba on February 9.

For him, the heart of the problem lies in the method. "Repression cannot provide a lasting solution in the university environment," asserts the former Minister of Youth under Wade.

Mr. Sow, also a lecturer and researcher in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, believes that any excessive security response "strengthens resolve and radicalization." He therefore calls for a "rapid resumption of dialogue" between authorities, students, and teachers.

Regarding scholarship reform, he acknowledges the budgetary constraints – over 100 billion CFA francs per year – but insists on the need for a collaborative approach. "Even if the reform is mandatory, it must be presented properly. We cannot give students the feeling that decisions are being imposed on them," he argues.

Thus, Alioune Sow argues for "a transparent debate on the efforts required and their distribution." The academic emphasizes that students are "the product of taxpayer investment."

Furthermore, Alioune Sow warns against the politicization of tensions. "No one has a monopoly on patriotism," he declares, calling for an end to "rigid divisions between good and bad Senegalese." He believes that the university must remain a "space for learning about democracy" and not a breeding ground for manipulation.

Regarding the precautionary measures taken on campus, he sees them as a desire to calm tensions: "It's about protecting the institution and reducing the tension."

However, he urges the authorities to draw "all the necessary lessons" to prevent further tragedies.