University of Liberia Suspends Student Politics as Tension Flares Ahead of June 7

Monrovia – The University of Liberia has suspended with immediate effect student politics on its campuses until further notice.

Report by Jackson F. Kanneh, [email protected]

A press release posted on the university’s Facebook page on Monday, June 3, cited a clashed between rivalry student groupings on the Capitol Hill campus early Monday morning as the reason for the decision.

“Effectively immediately, all political activities including student politics on UL campuses are hereby suspended until further notice”, the release said.

The Capitol Hill clash was between students belonging to the Students Unification Party (SUP), and the Fendell-based Students Association (FENSA).

Monday’s commotion erupted when students of FENSA stormed the Capitol Hill campus calling on their rival, SUP, to stay away from the pending June 7 protest. The FENSA students are accusing SUP of supporting the protest.

Since the inception of this government, the two campus-based student movement shave shown staunched counter-opposition over national issues.

According to the release, any student involves in any form of student politics after the pronouncement will be in danger of either being suspended or expelled.

“Accordingly, no political group shall assemble or hold meetings or engage in any political-related activities on any University of Liberia campus during this period of suspension. Students run the risk of suspension or expulsion if this emergency directive is breached,” the release further stated.

The UL leadership further quoted in the release that the suspension affects political/solidarity marches, political gatherings, the wearing of symbols and emblems depicting and promoting campus-based political groups, student protests, among others.