On Saturday October 15, 2022, on the way to meet Ibrahima Ndiaye dit Iba, we endured traffic jams on the outward and return journey on the Yirimadio axis. The reason ? The preacher Ousmane Chérif Madani Haïdara proceeded today at the Stade du 26-Mars to the blessing session of the anniversary of the baptism of our Prophet Mohammed (PSL). The interest of meeting a statesman, and the satisfaction aroused by his interview allowed us to be patient and understanding in the face of the aggressiveness of certain fanatics of the spiritual guide. Our hero of the week for the animation of the section “What have they become? “, is called Iba Ndiaye. One of the main actors of the Democratic Movement of 1991, he is a politician, but was also a great administrator who distinguished himself in the management of the State. He is now observing a political retirement. This former secretary general of Adema believes that he has lived his time, and is in a position to always serve his country. In other words, you have to know how to make wise decisions. Otherwise he decided to do politics in a random and risky context under a dictatorial regime: kidnapping, imprisonment, bullying in the administration. Why did he leave his family of origin for the URD? How did the choice towards this party take shape? How does he judge the Democratic Movement? What does he think of our country’s diplomatic position? What are the reasons for its support for the Transition? Iba Ndiaye recognized for his outspokenness remains straight on his lineage, to strike his share of truth on the conduct of state affairs. The context ? The section “What became of them? ” from your favorite newspaper, Today-Mali.
Ibrahima Ndiaye dit Iba is from Kayes, where he was born on May 2, 1948. It was at the basic school of Kayes Khasso that he went to the DEF in 1965. He became a maths-physics teacher four years later his transition to the Normal Secondary School. He cut his teeth in teaching in the circle of Kéniéba, before returning to his roots in Kayes Khasso and Kayes N’di. Enriching moments that will not prevent his assignment to the Institute for young blind people. The director of the IJA, at the time Ismaïla Konaté, seduced by the love of the profession cultivated in Iba Ndiaye and his self-sacrifice in giving lessons, worked to find him a two-year specialization scholarship in Tunisia.
It pays a vibrant tribute to the old Konaté, and retains from him a framework with a heightened sense of responsibility. After a few years of teaching, he received another scholarship for higher education at the University of Bordeaux II (1982-1983), and at the University of Paris X-Nanterre (1983-1987).
This university course is sanctioned by a master’s degree in education sciences and a diploma of advanced studies (DEA) in social psychology and a higher education diploma. On his return, he resumed service under a dictatorial regime, whose power had begun to vibrate because the winds of democracy were to begin to blow in Africa. And now the Adema Association is created, and Iba Ndiaye will lead the coordination of Commune VI, then secretary for solidarity of Adema / PASJ, put on baptismal funds after the fall of the regime of Moussa Traoré.
He became general secretary of the party during the first congress of Adema (1991-1999). The child of Kayes will subsequently occupy the high post of 2nd vice-president of the party. Reversed in the general administration, he was central mayor of the district of Bamako (1998-2003) and at the same time chaired the destinies of the Association of Municipalities of Mali.
Competent executive and fervent defender of his party and its achievements, Iba Ndiaye takes the reins of the National Employment Agency (ANPE). It was in this position that he was appointed Minister of Employment and Vocational Training in October 2007. He will be maintained there for the reshuffle of April 2009. He is also a writer for having written two books: “Adéma/PASJ, the party of the future” (1996), “The 1997 elections: results, reflections, challenges to our democratic culture” (1998).
Faithful companion of President Alpha Oumar Konaré, they met in Kayes when the latter taught him in the second cycle of the Khasso school French-history-geo. Without complacency he appreciates the combativeness of the former president, and assumes everything they did together. Only he does not agree with her silence; for the simple reason that Alpha Oumar has promised to be a militant of Adema at the end of his mandates. Beyond Iba Ndiaye says he understood the silence of his former mentor, because he avoided lending the flank at the risk of being shot.
The news under the magnifying glass, repentance
A meeting with Iba Ndiaye whatever the context necessarily leads to the news of the day. Logically we are debating from the beginning the maintenance of this project of the new Constitution. What does he think of it? His first apprehension in relation to Africanism is not called into question. Because this is a Malian identity. Which relieved him. Another concern taken into account, which moreover constitutes an innovation, is the possibility of dismissal of the President of the Republic.
The solution found in the form of sanction, to political nomadism is a major advance to stabilize the parties, that is to say that a deputy or a mayor who transfers to a political party loses his mandate. This is why he commends the good work of the Editorial Committee. The coup d’etat is still condemned in the same terms. This denotes a real conviction on the part of the military to avoid violent attacks in the future. Even if they did.
Iba Ndiaye is no stranger to the Malian political scene. He always gave his opinion on the news. He likes to say he witnessed all the coups in Mali from 1968 to 2021. If he now dwells on the jubilation at the announcement of the fall of President Modibo Kéïta, however he was subsequently disappointed. Because the military promised a wind of hope, which unfortunately turned into a harmattan. The country was not developing, freedom of expression hampered, salaries were falling in dribs and drabs, teachers embrace adventure, lack of means, couples are shattered, Modibo Kéita remained in prison for nine years without trial .
This is why the Democratic Movement had its reasons for rising up against this regime. The achievements of democracy are visible and salutary. Iba Ndiaye is delighted today that Mali is safe from all that the people have experienced under the fire of General Moussa Traoré. At least the ten years of Adema have not recorded any loss of human life, despite the fact that its headquarters and the houses of its leaders were burned during the demonstrations of the AEEM.
Beyond that, Iba Ndiaye repents. He recognizes that politicians must apologize to the Malian people. For the simple reason that the population has been their victim. Better the politicians between them must forgive each other. Why this repentance? “I realized that a good part of the public hates politicians. It is the delights of power that constitute the main stake for the conquest of power. Because of this, there are too many negative facts between us”.
Iba Ndiaye is one of the most consistent politicians. A main actor and great defender of the Democratic Movement, he advocates respect for the opinion of each other. For him, the two mandates of Adema are colossal, and have contributed to formatting the political history of the country.
His vision of the current situation of the nation comes from a higher patriotic sense. Faced with the rise of a junta and the inertia of a political class, he maintains that the benchmarks are blurred. Mali is in trouble. Security has made great progress, and it will have to be improved over time because the crisis is not only security-related, but multidimensional. In this case the best would be to prioritize all the aspects to have a good vision. Economic difficulties are the logical continuation, if not the immediate consequence of the war effort. But at this level you need a victory.
The country found itself in an exceptional regime without wanting it. But faced with the excesses of a democratic regime, Iba Ndiaye recalls that the Malians rose up and the intervention of the army was salutary. And according to him as long as the country remains in this exceptional regime, he will not leave the inn. So we must support the Transition with criticism to correct the shortcomings. Otherwise the support would be blind, or interested.
This clear-cut position of Iba Ndiaye to support the Transition, does it apply to the diplomatic crisis that Mali is experiencing? Does he condone the diplomatic radicalization of our authorities? The former minister does not support the option of the junta on the diplomatic level. Certainly in the history of Mali, this is a new fact. But he is convinced that we cannot carry out a crisis on this level. In this case, concerted efforts would be needed with countries experiencing the same problems. A quarrel with ECOWAS is not desirable. He clearly argues that our leaders must not accept that France is a problem between ECOWAS and us.
To have been a founding member of the two entities of Adema (association and political party), it is incomprehensible, even paradoxical that he left his ship for the benefit of another political formation. How did this divorce happen? Iba Ndiaye in an Olympian calm justifies his departure from Adema by the deviation of its leaders from the ideals which characterized the birth of their common baby. So he decided to resign to express his disapproval of Adema’s unwavering support during the presidential elections for the late President IBK. How to accompany a president whose speech was out of phase with the lines of Adema? Worse, IBK was very critical of the Democratic Movement, but we took big risks to achieve democracy in our country, he argues.
Why did you transfer to the URD instead of creating a political party? Iba Ndiaye gives his reasons: “Creating a party was not the right alternative. I was contacted by Soumaïla Cissé with whom I had very good relations at Adema, as well as several executives elsewhere. Especially since I was no longer in harmony with my original party, I had to fight in the opposition. I don’t regret my choice for URD, which I even contributed to strengthening. However, it is deplorable that we cannot close ranks after the death of Soumaïla Cissé. It’s the same syndrome that Adema experienced when President Alpha Oumar Konaré left”.
As a good memory Iba Ndiaye retains the victory of Adema in the 1992 elections. Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo’s coup d’etat is his main bad memory? Because it was a disaster and even a whim. According to him, young people were not prepared to handle power. That’s how we ended up in a total mess.
The former minister is married with four children.
O.Roger
Tel (00223) 63 88 24 23
Source: Today-Mali
Mali • What have they become… Ibrahima Ndiaye dit Iba: XXL statesman and politician • Malijet