Mauritanian student unions move to take back university

Student unions move to take back university The Institute for Higher Islamic Studies and Research (ISERI), which consists of five unions, confirmed Saturday, in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, that it is: “obliged to continue the struggle for the liberation of the university, which has now become a camp,\" emphasising that this is as a result of the university administration postponing the implementation of the coalition\'s demands, which include the restoration of the students who  were expelled  for confronting the police during the protest movement, organised by the coalition 3 months ago.
The coalition declared in a statement Saturday night, a copy of which was seen by Arabstoday that their motivation this time round is as a result of: \"the temporary freezing of student union activities, at the request of the National Parents\' Council, in order to reach a satisfactory solution to the situation. The concerned authorities, which include the minister of education as well as the former and current presidents of the university, promised to restore the dismissed students; to stop tracking the coalition leaders; to permanently send away the military from the university campus; and to initiate a serious dialogue about their demands. However the \"concerned authorities have not kept their word\".
The statement also noted that: \"the three-month strike is still ongoing and will continue until we achieve the demands of the students of Nouakchott University. This strike has led to the illegal dismissal of the students, especially that of the general secretaries of the five unions, as well as implementing the imposition of exams under the tight grip of security and military. It also condemns the continued harassment by the military towards the coalition\'s leaders. \"
The student statement added that: \"in spite of all these constraints, we are committed to dialogue and the resumption of our peaceful struggle against our stolen rights.\"