Lieutenant-Colonel Mayatta Ndiaye was commander of the GMI Tropical camp in Thiès in the 1970s. Born in 1930 in Linguère (Djolof), he passed the entrance exam for the African Military Preparatory School (EMPA), now the Charles Tchororé School in Saint-Louis, in 1942.

An infantryman in the French army, he entered service on October 30, 1948 in the 7th ^Senegalese Rifle Regiment (RTS), before joining the Infantry Application School (EAI) at the 65th RIMA, then the Marine Infantry Regiment.

He climbed the ranks successively: corporal of the Senegalese riflemen on May 1, 1948, corporal-chief on July 1, 1949, sergeant on October 1, 1949, sergeant-chief on October 1, 1954, warrant officer on October 1, 1956, warrant officer-chief in 1957.

Admitted to the Overseas Territories Officer Training School (EFORTOM) in Fréjus, France, on October 3, 1956, he graduated on June 30, 1958 after serving in the Senegalese Rifle Regiment, EFORTOM, the Infantry Application School and the Marine Infantry Regiment.

Transferred to the Senegalese army on December 1, 1960, he was assigned to the Parachute Group. He became a certified army instructor in Pau, France, on March 15, 1961, then the first parachute instructor officer, and trained the renowned Marigot Battalion. His progression through the officer ranks was as follows: Second Lieutenant on October 1, 1958, Lieutenant on October 1, 1960, Captain on January 1, 1963, Major on July 1, 1971, and Lieutenant Colonel on April 1, 1977.

Jobs held

Lieutenant-Colonel Mayatta Ndiaye held the following commands: first unit commander of the 2nd Parachute Company, unit commander of the 1st Company (April 24, 1961), unit commander of the 2nd Parachute Company (October 1, 1961), commanding officer of the Parachute Group from October 19, 1963 until 1965, commanding officer of the Eastern Senegal Group from 1965 to 1968, where he became the first commander of the Eastern Zone, deputy commander of the Central Zone of Kaolack in 1967, commanding officer of the Commando Group from 1968 to 1970 and deputy commander of the Northern Zone of Saint-Louis from 1970 to 1971.

Placed outside the regular framework, he was appointed head of the Mobile Intervention Group of the National Police (GMI) on July 1, 1971, a position he held until 1977.

Quotes and decorations

Lieutenant-Colonel Mayatta Ndiaye received numerous citations and decorations. In Senegal: Officer of the Order of Merit on August 31, 1962, Commander of the Order of Merit on March 31, 1969, Knight on March 2, 1974, Officer of the National Order of the Lion in 1975, Police Medal of Honour on April 21, 1974, Grand Officer of the Order of Merit on March 5, 1976 and Grand Cross of the Nation in 1983.

Abroad: citation to the order of the Division on April 15, 1952, citation to the general order on April 11, 1956, War Cross with silver star; colonial medal with gold clasp.

Foreign campaigns: Indochina, from January 8, 1951 to December 23, 1952 and Algeria, from September 12, 1959 to August 22, 1960.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Mayatta Ndiaye, who retired on January 1, 1978, passed away on November 25, 1987, in Thiès," recalls his eldest son, Samba Ndiemé Ndiaye. May he rest in peace!