The Gambian President Adama Barrow has called on Gambian Muslims and Christians to pray for the country’s first president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara on his posthumous 100th birthday.

He died in 2019 at the age of 95. He had ruled The Gambia from 1965 to 1994 when he was ousted in a military coup led by former soldier- turned-president Yahya Jammeh. 

in celebrating Jawara’s 100th birthday, president Barrow said: “I joined the Jawara family to celebrate his life and legacy as a human rights champion, environmentalist, and a statesman.  

“I urge worshipers at all mosques and churches on Friday and Sunday, respectively, to offer special prayers for him and all departed souls. May his soul rest in peace, and Jannatul Firdaus be his lasting abode.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba