Alioune Badiane

Simplicity, care, and depth are the core facets of Alioune's highly convivial personality. I have rarely sighted him alone. Instead, Alioune was permanently surrounded by people flocking dearly to him, each time he walked down the alleys after conference sessions, and to whom he always brought smiles and laughter amidst enthusiastic chattings. Though he was the fullest expression of a down-to-earth, patient companion, Alioune could also exhibit authority and rigor when necessary. His intellectual inputs in conversations pertained to the nexus of the built environment and the SDGs were in the vanguard. Despite retiring, Alioune kept close bonds with the UN-Habitat community and was still actively involved in the global urban debates and gatherings. His legacy will surely survive him and plant a seed in those who have crossed paths with him. May he Rest in Peace!

It is a tremendous shock to learn of Alioune's sudden and unexpected death. He will be hugely missed. My sincere condolences to his family for their loss. He was such a good humoured colleague and supportive manager. In 2008, to visit Iraq Alioune and I attended the same Security Assessment Training on the Jordanian Army Base. During one exercise his role was injured passenger, in shock and calling out hysterically, mine to comfort the passenger while we waited tor emergency services. It speaks to his modesty and colleaguality that Alioune did not pull rank and temper his participation, making it uncomfortable for me to offer advice, but fully embraced his role, crying out with pain convincingly as he stretched out across the back seat of the car. Although comical, given his statute compared to me, he lay there shouting out and while I tried to calm him as the instructor looked on and we waited for the ‘ambulance’. I am glad to say we both passed the exercise and the training. I reminded him about our roles in this training regularly when we met at WUF's and he would always give one of his broad big smiles and a chuckle and then go on to introduce me to everyone he was with. Always a pleasure to meet, a warm and encouraging manager, Alioune will be sorely missed not only as a colleague but for his contribution to UN-Habitat and to the Urban Agenda. May he rest in peace.

iam sending here for my condolence for the family, work colleagues and friends of ALione Badiana who passed the way for the last week , iam praying our allah to forgive him .

Alioune was a wonderful person, colleague and humanist. It was always a joy engaging with him, the last time during a short meeting at WUF. Alioune, you will be missed.

Rest In Peace Big brother. You left too too soon. Much unfinished work, no one can fill your shoes. I cannot believe you are gone forever. I close my eyes to see you and what I see is warm gentle kindness, encouraging, positive, non judgmental, treating all people as one humankind no matter what or who they are. Your brother David says fare thee well. We will miss you dearly. Until we meet again - God be with you. Jessica Kazina & David Hastie

It’s with great sadness that I just got informed of Mr. Badiane’s passing. I’ve had the privilege of working under his leadership in Lomé, Accra, and Abidjan from 1993 to 2001. Last year when he was in the US, I was happily surprised to receive a call from him and he promised that we would meet next time he would to the US. Unfortunately, this will no longer be possible. I will cherish my time at the Urban Management Program. He was such a nice and kind person! May he rest In peace.

Alioune was one of my early mentors at the UN. Constantly dignified, energized and committed, he wanted to see the best in all of us and push us harder to see the best in ourselves. He was deeply admired and loved. One did not have to know Alioune for more than 5 minutes after meeting him to know that you were in good hands. He cared deeply about his work, and conveyed a natural conviction that made you want to follow. To say that he helped me in my roles, is to vastly understate the influence and inspiration he imparted. I am shocked and profoundly saddened by this loss, as all in the UN system --not only UN-Habitat - I'm sure feel. Alioune was a force of nature. A great man, a great mind, a great soul. He will surely be sorely missed by those he influenced, like myself and so many others who had the fortune to know him for longer than I. But I think he will also be missed by those who he did not perhaps know so well, but could have benefited from his rich experience and dedication that would've surely served the UN and the world in recovering better from the crisis upon which he departed. Thank you Alioune for being there. Thank you for being an inspiration. You will be missed, Sir.

I was saddened and shocked at the news of the passing of the happy, kind and gentle giant, Dr. Alioune Badiane! He mentored and inspired me (along with Dr. Adom) to pursue a career and further my studies in Water related studies and I have no regrets to date. A brilliant man with a vision, plan and heart for African cities. What a great loss to the African continent. May the Almighty God comfort your loved ones at this time.