On 28 September 2026, CROUS Ziguinchor announced that its social campuses, in Ziguinchor and Kolda, would reopen on Saturday 3 October at dinner. On 8 October, students could finally return to their rooms. In between, the management changed hands, the reopening was postponed, then set again. Eleven days, four numbered statements, and a start of the year that occupied the whole university community.

This account goes through those events in order, based on the texts published by the institution. It sticks to what those texts say and points out what they do not.

28 September: a date and conditions#

Statement no. 001069, signed by Prof. Salif Baldé, then director, informs students and partners of “the official reopening of the social campuses of Ziguinchor and Kolda on Saturday 3 October 2026 at dinner”. Students are asked to return to their rooms on the date given, “respecting the rules of collective life and the facilities provided, in line with the rules in force”.

The text also contains a reminder that will come back in every later statement: students holding a bed must pay the rent for October and December before collecting their key.

The same day, the University Residences Division announced by poster that its services would work “exceptionally” over the weekend of 3 and 4 October so that students back from holidays could collect their room keys. Appointments are made with the pavilion heads; students must bring their agreement and the rent receipts for October and December 2026.

29 September: the handover is announced#

The next day, a second poster announces the handover ceremony between the outgoing director and his successor, Mr Ousmane Diallo: Friday 2 October 2026, from 9 a.m. GMT.

2 October: a handover, then a postponement#

The ceremony takes place as planned, chaired by Prof. Alassane Diédhiou, rector of Assane Seck University and chairman of the CROUS/Z board. Students, staff, cleaning technicians, delegates from Ziguinchor and Kolda and the university ombudsman speak before the three official speeches. Our report on the handover gives the details.

During the day, the news comes out: statement no. 001081 says the conditions for reopening “are not met” and that it is postponed until further notice. In response to the reactions, a clarification (no. 001083) gives the reasons: the operator of the main restaurant would not be in a position to open, and the only available restaurant, Diabir, has a capacity judged low. We went through both texts line by line.

3 October: talk before deciding#

On Saturday morning, the day students were originally due back, the new director receives students from the Ziguinchor Student Coordination. On the agenda: the situation, the concerns raised and the search for solutions. CROUS/Z speaks of “open, sincere and responsible dialogue” and promises official communication on what follows. More on that meeting.

6 October: a new date#

Statement no. 001102 sets the reopening for Thursday 8 October 2026 at dinner. It repeats the instructions of 28 September: return to rooms, respect for the rules of collective life, October and December rent to be paid before collecting the key. The practical guide gathers what students need to know.

8 October: “You are at home”#

On reopening day, CROUS/Z publishes a welcome visual under the hashtag #BonneRentrée: “Welcome, everyone! Dear students, you are at home!” Four services are recalled: university catering, university residences, medical and social care, cultural and sports life.

What remains to be followed#

• Catering. The postponement was justified by the unavailability of the main restaurant. The later statements do not say how this was settled or what serving capacity will be offered to students.
• Follow-up of the talks. The management promised official communication on the outcome of the dialogue with the Student Coordination.
• Return procedure. No new procedure was published for 8 October; the rules of 28 September (agreement, rent receipts) remain the reference.

On the institution’s Facebook page, these posts drew many reactions; among the visible comments, some welcome the dialogue approach. The coming days will show whether the start of the year returns to its usual rhythm.