The academic union in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal State after a heated debate has resolved to continue with a strike after a letter from the Minister of Higher Education demanded that the university’s vice chancellor take administrative measures against staff that have been striking for the last two weeks.
The academic staffs were divided in the meeting between supporters of continuing the strike and those who opposed, which forced them to vote for the decision.
51 voted for the continuation of the strike, while 21 voted for the strike to be lifted.
Abugi Kolang, chairman of the academic union, said they have come up with seven points after the general assembly meeting, including the continuation of the open strike and demanding an apology from the Minister of Higher Education.
He added that if the minister did not apologize they will call for his resignation.
Kolang said that reluctance to pay universities’ staff means compromising their rights, saying they will continue to negotiate at all levels meanwhile continuing with the strike.