Former Gambian diplomat and Economist Ebou Momar Taal has died aged 82.

Mr Taal passed away yesterday in Dakar where he was receiving medical treatment.

The late Ebou Taal had a long and glittering civil service career and had served in both the Jawara and Jammeh administrations. He was the permanent secretary at the ministry of External and Foreign Affairs.

He was also a linguist and historian.

Mr Taal was born on the 8th January, 1937 at Basse in the Upper River Region.

He is the father of Salieu Taal, the current president of the Gambia Bar Association.