South Sudan embassy in Cairo occupied by students over tuition fees

JUBA – South Sudanese students studying under government scholarships in Egypt have occupied their country’s embassy building in Cairo, demanding answers as to why university administrations continue to ask them for money for hostels and food.

Tethloach Tor Lual, one of the affected students, told Sudans Post that the students have been in the embassy since Thursday and said the peaceful strike has continued since seeking answers from their government.

“On Thursday early in the morning, South Sudanese students under government scholarship for the academic year 2021-2022 conducted a peaceful strike at the South Sudan Embassy in Egypt, Cairo. Until now they are in the embassy premises,” he said.

“The peaceful strike came as the results of denial to the fully funded scholarship as they were promised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in Juba before coming to Egypt,” he added.

He said based on the instruction given by the government before the students could travel to Egypt back home, the government was responsible for paying tuition, examination fees, medical insurance, and accommodation fees as well as monthly stipends but only tuition and examination fees are being covered.

“Fully funded scholarship exempt students from paying tuition, examination and accommodation fees, free medical insurance and monthly stipends but partially funded scholarship covers only tuition and examination fees only however the rest are students’ responsibilities,” he added.