Modupe AdebanjoSend a message to

Modupe Adebanjo

Modupe Adebanjo

Alioune, the uncle l never had. The gentle giant, a kind heart, humble, jovial, very strong, resilient, always giving of himself even sometimes at his own detriment, his office was like a refugee camp, colleagues with issues found their way there and indeed found refuge and protection. The best boss that I have ever had in my whole career. His trust in me, his support, and protection made me to dared to do more, dared to be my best. He cared not only for my professional life but also for my personal life; he was great support when l had my twins. I am still in shock, it does not feel real, it is unbelievable, l know that l will never forget Alioune. Without undermining anyone else, there cannot be another Alioune. I will miss you, gentle giant. Sleep well in the bosom of your maker, dearest Boss, and Uncle. May the Lord comfort and give strength to your family and to us your friends and people. Adieu From: Modupe Adebanjo

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Guglielma da PassanoSend a message to

Guglielma da Passano

Guglielma da Passano

Alioune, you have been a model of leadership and humanity. You gave me guidance, support and inspiration when I most needed them. Compassionate, honest and open-minded you empowered me to grow and do well in a challenging context, setting the foundations for the professional I would become. Thank you, I will not forget you.

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Gora MboupSend a message to

Gora Mboup

Gora Mboup

On the 31st of July 2020, hours before our brother and friend Alioune passed on, after the Eid prayer, at the time of the Asr prayer (4 pm Madinah Time/1 pm Dakar time), I prayed for him at the Mosque of the Prophet Mohamed (PUH) in Madinah. After the prayer, I communicated with Alioune’s wife between 1:10 pm and 1:37 pm (Dakar time). She promised me that she would communicate the prayers to Alioune. Unfortunately,one hour later she informed me that my dear brother and friend Alioune had passed away. What a sad surprise! But only Allah knows our destiny. May Allah Shelter him in Heaven. Ameen The last communication I had with Alioune was on the 8th of July at 3:55 pm (Dakar time) for about 3 minutes when he informed me that he was onconsultation at the Hospital Principal of Dakar (Senegal), and he promised to call me back. That call never happened, despite several messages andcalls I sent to him. Finally, I contacted his family who informed me that he was still unwell. I continued my prayers for him and kept communicating with his family hoping that he would get well soon. What a sad news! Since the 31st of July 2020, social media has been submerged with messages of sadness and memories of our late brother andfriend Dr. Alioune Badiane. Words may not suffice to express the heartfelt sorrow that I feel for his passing. But, Alioune will never truly leave, hewill still be alive in our hearts. He was loved by all of us and he will be cherished in our memories forever. May God shelter him in Heaven. Ameen. Our sincere condolences to his family. If you do not hear from a friend or a parent for an unusual period, please try to reach him/her or his/her family. Let us reach out to our friends and parents before it becomes late and we regret it. Only God knows our final day regardless of our health status, social status, etc. Forgiveness, tolerance & love are key for peace and wellbeing. All communities, of Islam, Christianism, Judaism and other lines of belief, belong to Godregardless of their race, ethnic group, social status, gender, etc. We know that what Alioune’s family is going through right now is very difficult, but we are here with them. Alioune loved his family, his children. I remembered in April 2019, one of his daughters, graduated from Canada, was among us at the regional meeting on the New Urban Agenda in Dakar. Alioune with his sense of humor introduced her and told me “Gora we are proud that our children are taking over the new challenges”. Throughout the ten plus years I spent in UN-Habitat, Alioune as the Regional Director of the Africa Office, was not only a colleague, but also my brother and friend who always provided me with advice and guidance with his more than 25 years of experience in the United Nations system. Assaid by many friends and partners, Alioune is the pioneer and passionate professional of Urban Sciences with an exemplary sense of knowledge sharing. We are going to try to represent him, but we will not be able to equal him. He is unique! After I left UN-Habitat in June 2014, Alioune and I had been frequently communicating. In June this year we started the ambitious three-years project for the establishment of the “Center of Excellence for Housing (CEH) in West Africa” where Alioune had been leading the Scientifical Committee and I have been the Senior International Expert. Several organizations have taken part of this project including the World Bank, the UEMOA, UN-Habitat, ISSP of Burkina Faso, ESEA of Senegal, University of Montreal and other African Research Centers on Population and Housing. Alioune was the key leader of this project. No one will be able to equally represent him on this project! I would propose that the CEH to be named after Dr. Alioune Badiane. Alioune and I have also been collaborating on several other development agendas in Africa including the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Today God has decided to call him for another mission. May God Shelter him in Heaven. Ameen. Our sincere condolences to the family of our dear brother and friend Alioune Badiane. Gora Mboup

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Alain GrimardSend a message to

Alain Grimard

Alain Grimard

A person who didn't have acquaintances, but friends. A being whose laughter and smile transcended everything in his path, and rallied the reluctant and recalcitrant. A being who was dedicated above all to the development of his continent (and Haiti). Alioune who had tattooed in his heart the development and influence of our agency without any political calculation - although he was a politician through and through. A being who trusted me, with no ulterior motive, and who made work a part of pleasure. The French morning coffees started our days on a positive, cheerful and committed note. He made a place for me and my family in his own family. Montréal was his second home and I will make sure that his daughters will be well and his memory will live long in this city. Joanne and I extend our sincere condolences to "Maman", Aminata, Aissatou, and all the other members of his more than extended family.

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Asenath OmwegaSend a message to

Asenath Omwega

Asenath Omwega

When Alioune retired in 2016, I felt a sense of loss. To the organization, he was the voice of reason and soberness even in times of crisis. He represented the model leader whom one could count on to use his leadership position for the good of all especially those who had no access to the platforms where their interests and needs could be heard and represented fairly-every organization needs "a Alioune" voice on the" high table". I could approach Alioune easily whether in his office or on the way. His position as senior manager did not alienate him from the rest of the colleagues, junior or senior, but he draw close to all-as colleagues. This is a virtue that I hope all of us will take away and cherish in our memories of a dear colleague. As a professional, Alioune embodied an area of expertise that was unique that many of us are still pursuing. He was pragmatic. Practical solutions, simplified that any stakeholder can grasp and embrace without being intimidated by this experienced professional. One of the things that stand out for me is how he worked with African ministerial conference for housing and urban development. They believed in his leadership and even there, he has left a great legacy that is now fully institutionalized in the AU. Championed the role of local authorities, support for youth empowerment in leadership and livelihoods, a gender aware leader. His passion for the transformation of Africa through sustainable urbanization was unquestionable. He saw an opportunity in every area of UN-Habitat's work and he encouraged everyone he knew could do something. As an African professional, I deeply feel the loss. I was so excited when I met him during the first UN-Habitat Assembly as a representative, for me not just for his country but our organization that he still was so deeply committed to. There is no doubt in the mind of all who knew about his work in our governance system that he gave it his all to support the organization. We are indebted to him- forever grateful for what he accomplished during the brief time in the Executive Board. It is not possible to highlight all my memories of my dear colleague and leader. A reminder that our lives are not measured by the years we live but what we accomplish with the "Dash" in the year of our birth and the year we die. For Alioune, it is more than what he accomplished. It is the lives he touched and how he did it. I am privileged to have known and worked with him for over 10 years and to have been impacted positively. I have no doubt that the God he believed in will repay him by blessing his dear family. Asenath

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Rael OdhiamboSend a message to

Rael Odhiambo

Rael Odhiambo

I knew Alioune for many years i have worked with UN he was a humble man full of wisdom. Condolences to his family fare thee well Alioune.

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