First Gambian president, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, died at his home in Fajara, on Tuesday aged 95.
As a politician, Jawara was a significant national leader, serving as Gambia’s Prime Minister from 1962 to 1970, and then as its first President from 1970 to 1914.
He was born in Barajally, MacCarthy Island Division on 16 May 1924, the son of Mamma Fatty and Almami Jawara.
Under Jawara, The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. In 1970, The Gambia became a republic and Jawara was elected as its first President.
The greatest challenge to Jawara’s power came in 1981 when an attempted coup détat took place and soldiers from neighbouring Senegal were forced to intervene, with 400 to 800 deaths reported by the end of the coup attempt.
Jawara and former Senegalese President Abdou Diouf announced the creation of the Senegambia Confederation, but it collapsed in 1989.
Jawara continued to rule until 1994 when a coup détat led by Yahya Jammeh seized power. He then went into exile, but returned in 2002, and lived in retirement until the end of his life.
Bassidia M. Drammeh, a Gambian based in Canada mourns that: “The Gambia has lost its founding father, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara; the man who’s led the country to independence and is largely credited for adherence to democracy and rule of law. May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannah”
Fatou Jaw Manneh: The nation mourns a great man. President of the first republic. Very well cultured, grounded and educated. Plus wisdom.
The man was wise and measured. He is everything intellectual and gentlemanly. But his genius was manifested during the transition period from Gambia’s Independence from Great Britain . Reading his book I have nothing on him but respect and regret for not knowing him enough, representing him or appreciating him enough.
When I finally met him I had lots of questions for him so I can learn from this statesman but he was too old , and I respected the family’s privacy and caution. I could not interview him as I dreamed of but nonetheless I had a good time with him and granted a light interview with his wife Chilel Jawara.We are all indebted to him for his wisdom in steering the republic to the right path. We are forever grateful. May Allah grant him Jannah. (Maakuu Saakuu)
Sainey MK Marenah : Death has robbed the Gambia today of her true son and elder stateman in the person of Sir, Dawda Kairaba Jawara, First President of The Republic of Gambia.
He died aged 95. May Allah grant him peace in Jannah. Amen! He was a true democrat, peace maker and very religious man.
Yankuba Jambang :“If was a well-known fact that Commonwealth African countries achieved independence with democratic institutions based on the British parliamentary system.
I pointed out however that continued multi-party democracy in most parts of Africa quickly became the exception rather than the rule in the wake of the emergence of strong presidential rule, the one party state and, in far too many cases, military rule. At one stage in the history of Commonwealth Africa, for example, only The Gambia, Botswana and Mauritius consistently adhered to multi-party democracy.
The Gambia steadfastly maintained this practice and created an enabling political environment which facilitated socio-economic activity without restrictions…… Radio programmes were organized that outlined the roles played by citizens in conjunction with government. One of the programmes designed and implemented was ‘Jakarlo’ There was also a civic education panel that discussed citizens concerns and explained the law and the constitution in simple language.”