Construction de la grande mosquée de Touba : Le récit controversé de Pape Oumar Ndiaye risque de lui coûter cher
Placed in pretrial detention on January 27, 2026, retired French teacher Pape Oumar Ndiaye was tried this Friday before the Dakar Magistrates' Court. He is being prosecuted for spreading false news and insulting someone based on their religious affiliation. The defendant, who contested the charges against him, had made controversial remarks against the late religious leader Serigne Fallou Mbacké. This occurred during a conference organized by the association "Les greniers de Mamadou Dia" in Diourbel.
His testimony was shown during the hearing. In the recording, the defendant states that the construction of the Great Mosque of Touba was completed thanks to a check from BAO (which became BIAO), obtained through Mamadou Dia. He elaborated on his theory by arguing that "the colonial authorities, in order to prevent Senegal from achieving independence, had made a deal with religious authorities, including Serigne Fallou Mbacké, to oppose the country's emancipation."
In exchange, the French had made promises to Serigne Fallou Mbacké regarding the construction of the mosque. But the religious leader was swindled. Serigne Fallou then reportedly complained to Mamadou Dia, who allegedly pressured a bank to issue a loan check from the BAO (Banque Occidental d'Afrique Occidentale) to complete the building. The check was then allegedly given to Serigne Fallou Mbacké.
During his testimony, the defendant stated that these remarks had been made by Mamadou Dia himself during a 1993 campaign in Colobane. He asserted that he was present when the former Prime Minister recounted these events. Pape Oumar Ndiaye maintained his position, arguing that Mamadou Dia's speech was a response to Serigne Modou Boussou Dieng, who at the time supported the Socialist Party alongside Ousmane Tanor Dieng and was politically attacking Mamadou Dia. According to the defendant, after this clarification, Serigne Modou Boussou Dieng made no further comments until his death.
The judge then asked him if he had any proof of his statements. The defendant replied, "It's an old colonial promise. Mamadou Dia wrote it in his memoirs." "Was Mamadou Dia still active in 1993?" the presiding judge pressed. "I no longer recall the exact dates, but part of the book was submitted to the file. In any case, Mamadou Dia was in the process of uniting the opposition around a single candidate, and that candidate was Landing Savané," he clarified. The judge then admonished him: "You must be very careful about manipulating history. We can understand your admiration for Mamadou Dia, but be cautious."
The lawyers for the religious leader's family believe the defendant has gravely offended the Mouride community. Attorney Takha Cissé argued: "What he said is false. Old age is not the time to launch such projects. The history of the construction of the Touba mosque has been taught to us by historians. It has never been reported that its completion was facilitated by a check obtained thanks to Mamadou Dia. I could have understood if the defendant had apologized, but he persists, hiding behind a supposed narrative. The facts are beyond doubt."
He was supported by Mr. Khadim Kébé, who cited the provisions of Article 255 of the Penal Code, emphasizing that "Serigne Fallou Mbacké was not lamenting." Mr. Boucounta Fall, from the Paris Bar, asserted that the defendant had "played with fire and gotten burned," adding that Serigne Fallou is a symbol of social peace and that Mr. Ndiaye was aware he was acting wrongly. Following him, Mr. El Hadji Diouf denounced the defendant, calling him a "liar and a fanatic." Considering the damage irreparable, he requested symbolic damages of one franc.
Assane Dioma Ndiaye, concluding the civil party's arguments, asserted: "It was the colonizer who falsified history, but today, it's a Senegalese man who is doing it." The lawyer reiterated the historical facts: the Grand Mosque was inaugurated on June 7, 1963, by President Senghor. "You can check the French archives: you will never see a check from BIAO, because that bank was created in 1965. Mamadou Dia, for his part, was arrested in 1962. When could he have possibly intervened?" the lawyer questioned, emphasizing that this fake news undermines the morality of the Mouride community. He reminded the court that Serigne Fallou was a friend of Senghor, not Dia, and that he had no need to beg from the French when loyal billionaires like Ndiouga Dieng were at his side.
In his closing argument, the Public Prosecutor stated that the defendant's statements were false and completely unfounded. Deeming the information offensive to the family of Serigne Fallou Mbacké, the prosecutor requested a one-year prison sentence.
For the defense, Iba Mar Diop offered a historical counter-argument, recalling the creation of French West Africa (AOF) and the fact that not all Senegalese were unanimous in their support for independence. He stated that he had witnessed a speech by Mamadou Dia in a room at what is now the RTS (Senegalese Radio and Television), adding, "Regarding the check, I know absolutely nothing about it." Tidiane Diallo, for his part, asked the court for a conciliatory ruling and a lenient application of the law. Finally, Baba Diop argued that the offense of disseminating false news was not established, as his client had not published the statements himself, and requested an acquittal based on reasonable doubt.
The case has been adjourned for deliberation until February 20th.
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