“As students, we appeal for the reopening of the university. No matter what has happened, we need our government and our university to help us reopen so we can finish our studies,” said Wek in an interview on Monday.
He explained that students at the University of Bahr El Ghazal staged a protest after the university administration refused to reduce tuition fees, adding that the students went on strike without informing state authorities.
“We need the university to reopen, and the reduction of tuition fees should also be considered. The students organised the strike without notifying the authorities, but it was a peaceful protest.”
Wek also noted that the payment of tuition fees among students is not uniform; it varies between science-based and art-based colleges. The tuition fees range from 1,800,000 South Sudan Pounds to 1,500,000 South Sudan Pounds.
Prof. Kuel Maluil Jok, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, who also serves as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Bahr El Ghazal, stated that the Deans’ Board closed the university to prevent public protests against the government.
“The university must remain closed until the students comply with their obligation to pay tuition fees for their studies. The students’ refusal to pay tuition fees and their locking and sealing of university administration offices constitute violence, and those responsible will face consequences regarding the suspension of the academic calendar,” he said.
On May 23, 2025, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kuel Maluil Jok, confirmed the closure, stating that the Deans’ Board convened an emergency meeting to address the strike.
