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Sudan: Information on whether the University of Khartoum required students to carry identity cards cards in 1990-92, and, if so, what kind of ID cards they were required to carry; on whether a university statement in lieu of a national ID card was sufficient; on whether there is a private university called Omdurman National Private University at El Mulazmin or Benit; on whether the university is required to follow government regulations regarding military service for the Popular Defence Forces; and on the courses taught

In a 12 June 1997 telephone interview with the DIRB, the president of the African Sudanese Association, who is also a graduate student in immigration law at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, stated that the system of national identity cards was introduced between 1990 and 1992. According to this source, all Sudanese including students were required to obtain and to carry ID cards (ibid.). In addition to the national ID cards,  students are required to carry student ID cards.  This source also stated that national or military service in the Sudan is mandatory for all Sudanese except for the elderly, the handicapped and children (ibid.).

According to a report from Human Rights Watch/Africa entitled Behind the Red Line: Political Repression in Sudan, national military service is obligatory for all males between 18 and 33 years of age (May 1996, 268). The length of national service depends on the level of education attained by the recruit: university or college graduates are required to perform 12 months service, high school graduates 18 months, and those without a high school diploma 24 months (ibid., 270). For additional information on this topic, please consult the Human Rights Watch/Africa report, available at Regional Documentation Centres.

The president of the African Sudanese Association stated that the private university at Omdurman is an Islamic university. Apart from Islamic and religious studies, the university teaches other courses too (ibid.).

According to The World of Learning, the Omdurman Islamic University has three faculties: Islamic Studies, Social Studies, and Arts (1996, 1359). However, The World of Learning lists another University Omdurman Ahlia which offers courses in Arabic Language, Management, English Language, Secretarial Program, Interior Design, Environmental Studies, Mathematics and Physics and Library Science (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Human Rights Watch (HRW)/Africa. May 1996. Behind the Red Line: Political Repression in Sudan. New York: Human Rights Watch.

President of the Sudanese African Association, Toronto. 12 June 1997. Telephone interview with he DIRB.

The World of Learning 1997.1996. 46th Edition. London: Europa Publications Limited.

Topics: Disabled persons, Military service,