The baobab tree, sacrifices for wrestlers, and poisoned beef: A marabout tried and then acquitted

In a neighborhood of Joal, a baobab tree is at the heart of a neighborhood dispute. Oumar Diame, who presents himself as a marabout (religious leader), refuses to allow anyone to touch this tree located near his home. He claims to regularly perform ritual practices there, including offerings for wrestlers.

His neighbor Maodo Sow accuses him of poisoning his animals

“There is a baobab tree next to his house. He poured livestock feed under the baobab tree. I saw him pouring the feed, which was poisoned. My oxen ate some of it. The biggest one died instantly. I had to give milk to the other animals,” he said.

The 34-year-old marabout appeared before the Mbour High Court to answer charges of poisoning animals belonging to Maodo Sow. He explained his reasons for this prohibition: “I don’t want anyone to touch the baobab tree because I work there. Most of the time, I make offerings for the wrestlers, and the work is done on the baobab.” He also denied any involvement in poisoning Maodo Sow’s herd.

Oumar Diame also recounted being confronted with a situation he considered threatening. According to him, on the day the parties were summoned, he appeared, but the other parties did not show up. He then claims to have seen "a horde of Fulani people on motorcycles" heading towards his home.

"I then informed the commander, who sent a patrol. Then, in the evening, the Fulani invaded my house. I again appealed to the commander, who once again sent a team," he explained.

The defendant continued by recounting an incident that allegedly occurred at night around 3 a.m.: “I was on the terrace with my brother, keeping watch. I then saw Maodo Sow and Amadou Ka jump into my house. They went towards the well and I saw Amadou Ka pour a liquid into it.”

Maodo Sow is therefore claiming 1,000,000 CFA francs in compensation for his damages.

Called as a witness, Amadou Ka stated that he did not see Oumar Diame pour the liquid. The prosecutor requested that the law be applied.

The defense, led by Mr. Oumar Sène, argued that there was insufficient evidence. "There is no proof of poisoning. The veterinarian speaks of suspicion; he does not state that there was poison," the lawyer maintained.

For Me Sène, "this is a meaningless case" and his client is being unfairly singled out as responsible.

At the end of the proceedings, Oumar Diame was acquitted due to lack of evidence.