Tribute to the late Coulibaly
October 27, 2019
OCTOBER, from light to darkness,
As I attempt to write these few words, I note with astonishment that the month of “October” bounds and marks out the destiny of our late friend and colleague, the late Mahamadou COULIBALY, and from the very depths of my being these words emerge: OCTOBER, from light to darkness.
I first met the man one day on 4 October, on the occasion of his taking up his post in 2016, as Head of the Communication, Marketing and Advocacy Unit of the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall. He was also born on 10 October, and was taken from our affection and our companionship, sadly all too brief, on 25 October 2019.
COULOU, as his colleagues liked to call him, could be likened to a true product of the universal rendezvous of giving and receiving, as prophesied by the Poet-President Léopold Sédar Senghor: to open up to others while remaining rooted in one’s own values and traditions. This harmonious integration, which he had achieved perfectly, made this colleague, friend and brother a sober man, elegant in his manner, in his way of approaching life, which could make his discretion and courtesy resemble shyness.
He was an available, sincere and talented man in carrying out his professional duties, which enabled him to contribute greatly to the international standing of the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall, which unites peoples of the same destiny in a common ideal, a shared vision and the hope of a peaceful and verdant Sahel, which our beloved Coulibaly so deeply wished for.
I cannot conclude this tribute and let emotion overcome me without recalling this important statement that you made about the objective of the Youth Green Caravan, one of the Agency’s flagship programmes for young people, which you so brilliantly led; I quote: “For the fostering of responsible behaviour, the strengthening of bonds between young people across the Great Green Wall area, and the anchoring of a culture of peace”, a quotation whose essence shaped your life and which the Agency makes it its duty to bring to fruition.
Farewell, dear colleague and friend; may the earth rest lightly upon you.
Tribute to the late Mahamadou COULIBALY
Prof. Abdoulaye DIA
Executive Secretary of the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAGGW)
