First Gambian President Jawara laid to rest
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) – Gambia's first President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, was on Thursday laid to rest after thousands of Gambians, diplomats and friends of the tiny West African country paid their last respects to the man referred to as “the father of the nation”.
Jawara, aged 95, who was also the first Prime Minister, passed away on Tuesday. He led Gambia to independence from British colonial rule in 1965 and ruled the tiny West African nation for 29 years before being overthrown in a bloodless coup led by Yahya Jammeh in July 1994.
He was given a befitting burial that was attended by President Adama Barrow, his ministers, senior government officials, religious leaders and friends and members of the Jawara Family.
Jawara’s tomb is situated within Gambian parliament. He was buried after Moslem prayers and rituals held at the King Fahad Central Mosque in Banjul.
Speaker after speaker hailed him for his statesmanship, peaceful nature, respect for human rights, rule of law and belief in democratic governance.
President Barrow hailed him as a visionary, compassionate, humanist and unifier of Gambian people irrespective of tribes, religion or whatever groupings.
“Jawara was a true pan-Africanist, a democrat and one of the founding fathers of former Organization of Africa Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU),” Barrow said.
Other speakers like Dr. Lamin Marenah, a childhood friend who said he knew the late President for over 70 years and his first son Dawda Jawara Jr all took turns to heap praise for his good leadership and personal qualities.
They spoke about his hard work, honesty, tolerance for dissenting views, humility, modesty, among other fine characters and leadership style.
Meanwhile, President Barrow has declared a seven-day national mourning following the passing of Sir Dawda.
According to the presidency at State House in Banjul, the official mourning period starts from 27 August and lasts up to 2 September.
-0- PANA MLJ/MA 29Aug2019
