By: Bakary Ceesay
Political Parties in Gambia namely; the United Democratic Party, Gambia Moral Congress, Gambia Democratic Congress and The Gambia Action Party has mourned the death of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara.
Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, first president of the Gambia, died on Tuesday 27th August, 2019 at his residence in Fajara at the age of 95
Jawara, led the Gambia to independence in 1965 and became the first President on April 24, 1970 after the country became a republic.
The Gambia is observing seven days national mourning for the death of Sir Dawda whom many describes as father of the nation and will be burial at National Assembly today Thursday.
Alimameh F. Taal, spokesperson of the United Democratic Party said: “On behalf of Secretary General and the entire membership of the UDP, we offer our sincere condolences to the family of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, the first President of the Republic of The Gambia. The passing of Sir Dawda is indeed a sad event but we give thanks for his remarkable life. President Jawara is the father of our nation and arguably the greatest African Democrat of the 20th century”
Momodou Cham, Youth President of Gambia Democratic Congress said that: “Gambia has lost a great man. The country’s first former president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara is gone. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Ameen. You have made history and the world will remember you forever”.
Mai Ahmad Fatty, leader of Gambia Moral Congress said that a global Statesman, from one of Africa’s smallest countries, Kairaba’s legacy has become an African heritage – an African icon and pre-eminent Leader who taught the world that the virtues of peace, stability and democracy, are not determined by personal status, nation size, military prowess or wealth.
“From the Banjul Declaration to the philosophy of Tesito (self-reliance), Kairaba was ahead of his time, and Time shall honour his achievements. As you journey to your eternal home, May Firdaws be your abode. On my own behalf, my family and the larger GMC Family, I extend condolence to The Gambian Nation. May Allah Blessed his soul. Ameen,”
Musa Batchily, leader of The Gambia Action Party said they joined the family of Sir Dawda K. Jawara and the rest of the Gambia in mourning of a great statesman and a revolutionary as well as one of the brains behind Gambia’s attainment of independence.
He said: “It is indeed a great loss not only to his family and the Gambia but the entire human race. We pray to the almighty, omnipotent and omnipresent Allah to make him a dweller of Jannatul Fiirdauos, forgive his transgressions, make his grave spacious, guide and protect his family (Gambia)”
“Your legacy will continue to live on as far as the Gambia is concerned. Those painful days and nights you endured in the name of the Gambia for independence, democracy, rule of law and the fundamental principles for human rights and togetherness as a nation are achieved. These did not only limited your horizons in the Gambian soils but the sub region and Africa at large when you took part to have made history that will forever be remembered,” he added.
Batchily pointed out that: “Your inspirational words still lingers in our minds and hearts when we visited your resident at Fajara and never shall we deviate from the cause as long as politics and dealing with people are concerned. We extend our deepest condolences to the People’s Progressive Party for they (we) have lost an icon and one of the best politician to have ever emerged in the Gambia