Dawda Jawara, the first president of The Gambia following independence from Britain, died Tuesday at the age of 95, officials said.

Current President Adama Barrow, in online comments, described Jawara’s death as “a great loss to the country in particular and humanity in general”.

Fisheries Minister James Gomez told AFP that “the former head of State Sir Dawda Jawara died this afternoon. Flags would fly at half mast” and the body will lie in state for mourners to pay their respects.

Jawara, a Glasgow-trained veterinary doctor, led the former British Colony to Independence on 18th February 1965 until July 1994 when his reign was brought to an end by a bloodless military coup led by Yahya Jammeh, who went on to rule the tiny West African state for 22 years.

The Gambian presidency, in a statement on Twitter announced that a state funeral would be held on Thursday.

“In honour of his enduring legacy, President Barrow has ordered that the former president be accorded a befitting state funeral and that flags at all public institutions to fly at half-mast.

“Sir Dawda has lived a life that epitomises peace, tolerance, respect, and patriotism. His time as president has put the country on the path of development at both human and institutional standards. His legacy as the father of the nation shall forever live on.”

Jawara was born in 1924 into a Muslim family in central Barajally, where his father was a tradesman.

He worked as a vet and it was not until 1960 that he decided to enter politics, joining the Protectorate People’s Party in 1960 while the country was still under British rule..

His party, which later changed its name to the People Progressive Party (PPP) won the elections in 1962 and he became the country’s prime minister.

That was the post Jawara held when The Gambia gained its independence in 1965, ending British colonial rule which begun in 1888.

It was not until 1970 that he assumed his post as the country’s first president.

Jawara resisted post-independence pressure to become part of neighbouring Senegal, which surrounds the whole country with the exception of its Atlantic coastline.

Following his 1994 ouster, Jawara sought refuge in Britain where he lived with his family until 2002 when he returned home after President Jammeh granted him amnesty and returned his assets to him.

While in power his regime was considered one of the most democratic on the African continent.

https://punchng.com/the-gambias-first-president-dawda-jawara-dies-aged-95/

What legacy did he leave behind

iPhoneRepairer:
What legacy did he leave behind

An interesting read but long.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawda_Jawara

African leaders and their Greediness..

Pictures when he attended the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981. At this time, the first coup took place but was quelled down after he enlisted the Senegalese army. About 500-800 people lost their lives.


Adama Barrow (current President) and D.K.Jawara earlier this year.

Everyone gotta die someday, it just happens to be his turn as evolution must take course but by the way, Do they want to keep him forever, Dude is 95 years old, what else is left to achieve or accomplish, he has great legacy which will remain forever, This is the highest acheivement in life, Even billionaires strive to create this legacy with wealth (Trump comes to mind). Anyways RIP.

Howfar adama barrow's government . The man's victory that shook the world. Nigeria senior officers in the Gambia military was one of the reason Jawara's government was toppled

Ha! I studied about this man in secondary school. He has done his bit so farewell Mr Jawara may your soul rest in peace

It's remaining buhari

RIP!

This man has an awesome bio... I had to read his bio on Wikipedia .

May his soul rest in peace

One of the strong names in No.7 for those who know alone

Wat kind of great loss at 95 chai! Make he no die again na......

May God rest his soul.
My condolence to the bereaved family.

Ok

RIP

Good question
to me, nothing to be remembered for
only that he was born, misruled, had children and died,
No effect.
Well, I leave him to the hands of God.
RIP

iPhoneRepairer:
What legacy did he leave behind

What is democratic about someone that ruled for 29 years?

GOFRONT:
African leaders and their Greediness..

Its Greed not Greediness

JubrinElSudan:
What is democratic about someone that ruled for 29 years?

At least he was elected

owkay
so Gambia is where Ewugambia come from?
wow
i've learnt something

A benevolent dictator for life overthrown through a coup detat by a tyrannical dictator for life who was eventually overthrown through the democratic process

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grandstar:


A benevolent dictator for life overthrown through a coup detat by a tyrannical dictator for life who was eventually overthrown through the democratic process

u don talk am finish...

RIP

Strong Man
Strong Legacy