Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, the first president of The Gambia and one of the founding fathers, has died age 95.

Jawara died this afternoon at his residence in Fajara, Greater Banjul Area.

Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, GCMG, was a significant national leader of The Gambia, serving as its Prime Minister from 1962 to 1970, and then as its first President from 1970 to 1994.

Born in Barajally in the Upper River Region, Jawara studied veterinary as profession at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and became a qualified veterinary surgeon in 1953.

This is a developing story. Gambiana will update as more information becomes available.