Khartoum University estimates damage, theft during pro-democracy sit-in at US$ 138 million
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan’s premier and most prestigious university, the University of Khartoum, says looting and destruction during the over two months of sit-in by pro-democracy activists inflicted a US$135 million cost on the academic institution.
Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protesters had occupied the area near the Army Headquarters in Khartoum to press for a transition to civilian government and an end to military rule in the country.
The University of Khartoum, officially launched in 1902, falls within the parameters of the sit-in, as it is only one street away to the north of the Army Headquarters and one street away from the river Nile.
The youth who camped there had barricaded all roads leading to the epicenter of the sit-in. They entered the university compound and used the dormitories and offices. Opportunists and thugs took advantage of the situation to loot equipment of the university.
Technical, financial and administrative committees formed by the Vice University was quoted on Tuesday as saying that "material losses and damage caused by the recent events that included looting and destruction of 19 university units resulted in a loss of an estimated US$135 million”.
The report said repeated appeals by the vice chancellor's office for help were not responded to, as police and other guards were scared away by the activists.
On 3 June Sudanese forces stormed the sit-in areas and dispersed the protesters. The government said 61 persons were killed but the revolutionaries said over 100 were killed. Most of those killed were youth and students.
-0- PANA MO/MA 3July2019
