Imam Alioune Badara Ndao, acquitted at first instance and on appeal in the largest trial ever held in Senegal for terrorism, was buried this week in Kaolack. He leaves behind a reputation as a great teacher in the bassin arachidier.

Imam Alioune Badara Ndao, who died on the night of Monday to Tuesday at Fann Hospital where he was recently admitted in the emergency department, was buried yesterday in Kaolack. Until his arrest in October 2015, nothing more was known about him, beyond the simple Koranic teacher, installed in the capital of Saloum. 

Arrested at his home by the gendarmerie and others, he was accused of « glorifying terrorism » and « criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise », but also for « money laundering ».  With Matar Diokhané, presented as the chief of the gang, Coumba Niang, Amy Sall, Mariame Sow, Alioune Badara Sall, Daouda Dieng, Boubacar Decoll Ndiaye, Oumar Keïta, Mor Mbaye Dème, Mamadou Moustapha Mbaye, Alpha Diallo, Pape Kibili Coulibaly, El Hadji Mamadou Bâ, Moustapha Diatta, Ibrahima Hann, they became the first Senegalese to be tried for acts of terrorism.

Obviously, he had always refuted these accusations.  The judge believed him : from the beginning, imam Alioune Badara Ndao, emblematic figure  of Islam in the Saloum, always claimed his innocence, established at the Bar by his lawyers. At the end of his trial, he was finally acquitted on 19 June 2018 off his crimes of glorifying terrorism and act of terrorism with criminal association.  Whilst the prosecution sought against him, 30 years of forced labour.  The month with a suspended sentence to which he was sentenced for possession of a weapon of the 2nd category without administrative authorisation and confiscation to the advantage of the Treasury of 14 thousand euros become almost anecdotal.  He became free after 3 years of preventive detention.

During this trial, Matar Diokhané, presented as the leader of the group, received in the first instance, a sentence of 20 years of forced labour.  He was recognised guilty of the crime of acts of terrorism with criminal association. The same charges retained against Mamadou called Mohamed Ndiaye, Omar Yaffa, Ibrahima Diallo, Abdoul Aziz Dia, Mohamed Lamine Mballo, Latyr Niang, Lamine Coulibaly, Abou Diallo, Cheikh Ibrahima Bâ, Ibrahima Mballo, Abdou Akim Mbacké Bao and Saliou Ndiaye. Mamadou called Mohamed Ndiaye, Ibrahima Diallo and Abdou Akim Mbacké Bao took 15 years.  The named Oumar Yaffa, Abdoul Aziz Dia, Lamine Coulibaly, Abou Diallo, Cheikh Ibrahima Bâ and Ibrahima Mballo received 10 years with forced labour. And the trio, Mohamed Lamine Mballo, Latyr Niang and Saliou Ndiaye, took 5 years of forced labour.

On the other hand, The Court acquitted Matar Diokhané, Oumar Yaffa, Ibrahima Diallo, Abdoul Aziz Dia, Mamadou Lamine Mballo, Latyr Niang, Lamine Coulibaly, Abou Diallo, Cheikh Ibrahima Bâ, Ibrahima Mballo, Abdoul Akim Mbacké Bao, Saliou Ndiaye  of crimes of financing terrorism in an organised group, money laundering, plotting and engaging in acts of terrorism. The group composed of Coumba Niang, Amy Sall, Mariame Sow, Alioune Badara Sall, Daouda Dieng, Boubacar Decoll Ndiaye, Oumar Keïta, Mor Mbaye Dème, Mamadou Moustapha Mbaye, Alpha Diallo, Pape Kibili Coulibaly, El Hadji Mamadou Bâ, Moustapha Diatta, Ibrahima Hann were simply acquitted to the great pleasure of their close ones.

By Justin GOMIS / justin@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey Tapha SOSSEH