UMD Media, December 24, 2024

Students at Mekelle University in Tigray’s capital protested on Monday expressing outrage over police violence and ongoing dissatisfaction with campus meal services. What began as a peaceful demonstration against poor meal quality and administrative indifference spiraled into chaos, leading to reports of police violence, detentions, and campus disruption.

Students raised concerns about the quality of the food served on campus, including allegations that meals contained sand and complaints about inadequate breakfast options, limited to a single piece of bread. The protests were fueled by frustrations that included the cost-sharing system, which requires students to pay 100 Birr daily for meals, irrespective of whether they consume them. Many students have criticized the administration for ignoring their grievances and failing to address the systemic issues underlying the food program.

The peaceful protests turned violent as clashes erupted between students and security forces. Authorities detained several students, with witnesses reporting instances of physical abuse. Damage to dormitories by secutity forced was also reported during the protest at Adi Haqi and Arid campuses of the university.

A chilling eyewitness account detailed the brutal treatment of Bereket, a second-year law student known for his intellectual rigor and advocacy on behalf of his peers. According to the testimony, Bereket was beaten by police until he lost consciousness and was then detained along with other students.

Separately, video footages circulating on social media have added to the controversy. One video, taken from a distance, is captioned as showing an individual being struck with police batons, losing consciousness, and subsequently being tied with their hands behind his back before being thrown into a sewage pipe. The identity of the individual in the footage remains unconfirmed, and it is unclear whether this incident involves Bereket or another detained student.

In response to the protests in two campuses of the university, Mekelle University released a statement reminding students that the national food menu, mandated by the Ministry of Education, was designed to ensure uniformity and affordability across institutions. The university emphasized that changes to the menu could only be proposed through the students’ union and must remain consistent with national guidelines. However, the administration condemned the protests, warning that destruction of infrastructure and harm to university staff would not be tolerated. It remains unconfirmed whether any harm to staff occurred.

A civil society organization, the Voice of Democracy and Social Justice, has condemned the handling of the protests and the alleged human rights violations against students. In a press release, the group expressed grave concern over the beatings, arrests, and violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators. It called for an independent investigation into the incidents, urging relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure the protection of students’ democratic rights.

The Voice of Democracy and Social Justice underscored the vital role of universities as spaces for knowledge, civic engagement, and the exercise of democratic freedoms. The organization emphasized the need for accountability and a commitment to safeguarding students’ rights.

As Tigray faces mounting tensions, the protests are taken as indicator of the need for broader discussions about governance, rights, and institutional accountability. Calls for dialogue, transparency, and justice continue to grow, as students, civil society, and concerned stakeholders demand immediate and meaningful action.

UMD Media

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