AASU President Appeals for Calm, Urges Ivorian Government to Lift Ban on Student Unions
The President of the All-Africa Students’ Union (AASU), H.E. Osisiogu Osikenyi E., has called for calm among students in Ivory Coast and appealed to the Ivorian Government to reconsider its ban on all student union activities.
This follows the recent murders of two students, Khalifa Diomandé and Zigui Mars Aubin Déagoué, allegedly linked to the influential Student and School Federation (Fesci).
In an interview with The Street Reporters Newspaper, President Osikenyi emphasized, “Students’ unionism is not tantamount to violent crime and cultism.” He stressed that the ban on student union activities unfairly punishes all students.
“We are appealing to the government to soft-pedal on the ban on all student union activities while we call for justice,” President Osikenyi urged. “We’re already engaging Ivorian Authorities to see how the matter can be managed and de-escalate the situation, and I plan to be in Ivory Coast in the coming weeks.”
The AASU President’s appeal comes after Ivorian authorities discovered an underground tunnel used for torture and a brothel at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan during investigations into the murders.
President Osikenyi’s visit to Ivory Coast aims to promote dialogue and resolve the current crisis, ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for all students.
The AASU President said that the continental students’ union remains committed to promoting students’ rights, democracy, and good governance in educational institutions across Africa.
