The Politicisation of Universities in Sudan

For decades, universities and the general education system in Sudan has been affected by Sudan’s political climate. Politics founds its way inside the walls of every Sudanese university or educational institution. On a daily basis, many students, whether in the healthcare, arts, architecture, engineering or business fields, participated in political debates and activities, playing a signifying role in the country’s development.

Today, 10 months after the revolution began and the academic year has been suspended in many Sudanese universities, some students are questioning the interference of politics in Sudan’s educational system. In addition, some professors and faculty members has shown concern over the politicalisation of activities within universities.

History of student movements

Student movements have always been in the frontline in Sudan, uniting students to take serious and firm actions towards the country’s political, economic, cultural and social events. Student movements have played significant roles in bringing political change in Sudan. Their history is as old as the history of modern Sudan itself. The history of student movements in Sudan date back to the early 1940s when students of the University of Khartoum (UofK), which was formerly known as Gordon Memorial College, had their first political disobedience following decrement of Sudanese officials’ salaries while the British and foreigners’ wages were not. This disobedience happened even before the students have officially created their union. The graduates club, Nadi Elkhreejen, was the first higher education student union in Sudan founded in 1938 and officially established in 1941. A house for many prominent names that shaped the political future of Sudan, the graduates club recruited some of Sudan’s greatest elites and activists. One of their leaders was Ismael Al Azhari, who was elected as the first prime minister of Sudan between 1954 and 1956, and the first president of the independent Sudan from 1965 until he was overthrown by former Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry (1971 – 1985) in 1969.  

In 1964, students played an important role in the demonstrations against former Sudanese president Ibrahim Aboud (1958 – 1964). Student demonstrated to show their anger of the militant activity that was involved in north-south civil war. Also, they demanded freedom of expression and speech. They marched in thousands to protest, especially after the death of Ahmed Taha Elgurashi, who was the first student to be killed in the protests, succumbing to bullet injury. In the following decades, student continued their political activity and participated actively in the second Sudanese revolution in 1985 that forced Nimeiry to step down.  

As with student movements, the politicisation of universities in Sudan began with the establishment of the University of Khartoum. The head of university was chosen and elected from council of deans. Under Nimeiry’s rule, the politicisation continued to take place. He hired and fired the head of university due to their political affiliation without referring to the council of deans. Under the rule of recently ousted President Omar Al Bashir (1989 – 2019), yet again, the heads of university were chosen based on their political affiliation and loyalty to Al Bashir’s regime – both perceived to be more important than their qualifications or leadership records. 

Then came Al Bashir’s regime

During the reign of Al Bashir, student activism has been disrupted, distorted and mangled. The government controlled all student unions. There was no actual representation of students. Their agendas were not resolved or even brought to the table. In addition, students lacked the support they needed in their educational and career development. A healthy learning environment, supportive staff and faculty, proper hostiles and most importantly, freedom of speech and expression did not exist.

Political activities in universities were prominent, active and diverse especially between independence and until Nimery. Violence existed in the midst. However, the prominence of these political activities came to an end in 1998 when Al Bashir came to power in a military coupe, crippling the country’s political, economic and social state.

The third Sudanese revolution, which led to the ousting of Al Bashir in April 2019, began in December 2018 following a high school student protest in the city of Atbara in River Nile State. Yet again, students supported and believed in the revolution. Students from many Sudanese universities led and participated in public protests. Hundreds have died, and were imprisoned, tortured and injured. 

Following the recent Sudanese revolution, many university students took the initiative to assemble students and unite them under one flag. New student and professor associations are being established. They have a large number of demands that includes clearing universities from what they call ‘the remnants of the past regime’. The demands include firing heads of universities and the so-called jihadi units, amongst others. Although these demands are logical and legitimate, the appointment of heads of universities should not come from the Ministry of Higher Education but from the council of deans of each respective university. Heads of universities should be selected based on their qualifications and experience even if they did not believe the ideology of the ruling party or government. 

Time for change

As a student myself, I started questioning the effectiveness and efficiency of political activity in universities, and the politicisation of the educational system. It is important for students to be politically aware and active especially as active citizens and members of the society and country; however, political involvement should be limited in educational institutions. There should be a strict, distinguished line between political affiliation and the involvement of political parties in universities, and student activism. Students’ demands for a healthy, systemised and adequate educational environment or setting should not be politicised. Student unions and associations should be free from any political affiliation and only comply with students’ interest and concerns.  

Throughout time, politically active students have received the highest positions in student unions. Now is the most appropriate time to change this catastrophic historical mistake. 

As one of the influential Sudanese youths, Dr Mahmoud Al Mutasim, stated, student unions must be established and politically active students should not take leadership roles as they might pass their own agenda intentionally or unintentionally. 

The revolution has delivered important changes on our understanding and interest in politics as students. Now, we feel that we are free to talk and express ourselves; therefore, students are now more engaged in political debate. 

The academic year 2018-19 has been disrupted as classes have been suspended due to the revolution and the country’s political state. Now as classes resume, students, faculty, staff and everyone involved in the education system must be aware of the significant history of student movements and activism. Students should read and think about it very critically to take what works in today’s world and leave behind the mistakes and faults made in history. In addition, students should pursue their activism as effective citizens; however, they should not politicise student unions. Their educational careers should not be politicalised. Political activities should be held under fair and neutral guidelines that allow students cadre to recruit and speak their minds without discrimination against one party or another. Leadership roles in student unions should be free of political affiliations or hidden agendas to provide students wih the support they need and make their voices heard.  

Azza Abdelmagid is a 21-year-old Sudanese medical student (and finalist) at University of Alzaiem Alazhari and a freelance translator. She is an active member of Medical Students’ International Network-Sudan (MedSIN-Sudan), a student organisation, uniting Sudanese medical students and giving them a voice. She is interested in Sudanese culture, traditional heritage, and public health specifically women’s health. She believes in youth and women empowerment, and enjoys volunteering, travelling and writing. She is inspired by Helen Keller’s quote: ‘Life is either a daring adventure or nothing’.