Pa Nderry Mbai, renowned Gambian journalist who fearlessly reported on the Jammeh dictatorship for two decades, has died, his family said.

Mr Mbai passed away on Monday in his adopted home of Raleigh, United States of America. 

His sudden death has shocked many Gambians including his professional colleagues. No cause of death is yet to be officially established.

Until his untimely death, Mr Mbai was the owner and managing editor of the influential US-based Freedom Newspaper. 

The newspaper is a household name known for its uncompromising stance against corruption and abuse of power. It’s been credited for its role in exposing the human rights abuses of the Jammeh regime and playing a leading role in its downfall.

Mr Mbai started out as security guard at RVTH before joining the once-famed Daily Observer newspaper. 

He later joined The Point newspaper and was also Banjul correspondent for Voice of America.

Mr Mbai founded Freedom newspaper in the 2005 after relocating to the United States of America.