The Darfur students studying at Sennar University have gone on protest in a dispute with the administration over whether they should pay fees or remain exempt.

An eyewitness in Sennar who declined to be named told Radio Tamazuj that the students went on protest because they were asked to pay university fees.

Tuition exemptions for Darfur students have been practiced by a number of Sudanese universities since a provision for exemptions was included in a peace agreement with a Darfur rebel group in 2006.

“We are to be paid by the Sudan government, according to the Abuja Agreements and the Doha Agreement,” said one of the students.

The source explained that the only students affected by the administration’s new policy are those who finished the Sudan School Certificate last year.

“We have informed the authority of our position but they told us to wait and they will let us know soon,” he said.

The students also accused the Sudanese security in Sennar of arresting some students but Radio Tamazuj could not confirm this independently.