Madar (Nouakchott) - Tension at the University of Nouakchott spilled into politics on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as an opposition coalition and the Tahaddi party condemned what they called the repression of students, after police intervened on Monday to disperse a student protest near the university demanding public transport.
In a statement reported by the Al-Akhbar agency and Sahara Medias, the democratic opposition coalition pole described a "violent security intervention", said the use of force against students was contrary to the rule of law and that "peaceful protest and freedom of expression are a constitutional right". It called for an end to restrictions on freedoms and for serious dialogue with student representatives.
The Tahaddi party (Renewal of the Democratic Movement), in a statement received by Madar, condemned the use of tear gas on campus and rejected increases it said exceeded 300% in university transport and restaurant costs. It called for an investigation into the use of force and for the university's sanctity to be respected.
The Ministry of Higher Education had announced that traditional transport stops serving the university complex would be cancelled from Monday, October 26, in favour of extended bus rapid transit (BHNS) lines, with a monthly student subscription of 5,000 old ouguiyas.
Monday's protest coincided with simultaneous sit-ins by the Student Front at higher-education institutions. The ministry had not commented on the statements or the police intervention at the time of publication, and no figures on injuries or arrests have been announced.
