Gambia’s First Post-Independence President Jawara Dies

Prime Minister Jawara with David Ben-Gurion and General Moshe Dayan during a visit to Israel in 1962 (Photo by Moshe Pridan).

By Modou Joof

(Bloomberg) -- Dawda Jawara, the president who led Gambia for more than two decades after its independence from Britain in 1965, died at the age of 95, according to the presidency.

Jawara died “peacefully” at his home near the capital, Banjul, presidential spokesperson Amie Bojang-Sissoho said by phone on Tuesday.

A trained veterinary surgeon from the University of Glasgow and the University of Liverpool, Jawara first served as prime minister and later as the president of Gambia until he was deposed in a 1994 coup led by Yahya Jammeh.

“Dawda has lived a life that epitomizes peace, tolerance, respect, and patriotism,” said President Adama Barrow.

“His time as president has put the country on the path of development at both human and institutional standards.”

Jawara will be buried in a state funeral on Thursday, said Barrow’s office. Barrow took power in January 2017 after West African troops forced Jammeh to accept the outcome of a vote the month before.



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