Sudan Condemns Chad for Depriving Sudanese Students from Writing Exams, Calling it a “Black Mark”

Port Sudan – Sudanhorizon

The Sudanese government has expressed its regret and condemnation of the Chadian authorities’ refusal to allow more than 6,000 Sudanese refugee students, primarily from West Darfur and other regions, to write their Sudanese certificate exams. This denial, according to Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is linked to the ongoing violations by the rebel militia.

In a statement released on Wednesday and obtained by Sudanhorizon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted its extensive efforts to address the issue. These efforts included direct communication with Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and coordination with the UNHCR to persuade Chadian authorities to permit the students to take their exams. However, these attempts were unsuccessful due to what the ministry described as Chad’s “misguided political calculations.”

The ministry criticized Chad’s actions as part of a broader hostile stance towards Sudan, accusing Chad of consistently supporting the Janjaweed militia in pursuit of the regional agendas of the rebel forces’ backers.

The statement emphasized that denying innocent students their right to education and jeopardizing their future constitutes a clear violation of fundamental human rights as outlined in international law. It also marks a betrayal of the historically close ties between the Sudanese and Chadian peoples. Sudan noted its past precedent in providing educational opportunities for Chadian citizens.

The statement concluded, “This act of denying our children the opportunity to take their Sudanese certificate exams will remain a black mark on the record of Chadian authorities and their aggressive policies towards the Sudanese people.”