The Gambia’s ambassador to the United States Dawda Fadera has died on Sunday (20 February) after a short illness.

The ambassador passed away at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad hereby extends its deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Ambassador and prays that the Almighty Allah bless him with the highest rank in Jannah,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement .

The ministry said funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Until his death Mr Fadera was the Gambian ambassador to the United States. 

He presented his credentials as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to President Donald Trump at the White House on January 24, 2018.

Prior to his appointment, he was Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary at the Personnel Management Office (PMO).

Fadera was born in Kiang Nema in the Lower River Division.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba