The Gambian President Adama Barrow has declared seven days of national mourning after the death of the country’s vice president Dr Alieu Badara Joof.

Dr Joof died Wednesday morning in the Indian capital, New Delhi, where he had been receiving medical treatment. 

President Barrow expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late VP Joof, the Gambian nation and residents of The Gambia.

President Barrow said he is profoundly shocked by the death of the Vice President describing him as “a very serious, level-headed, patriotic, dedicated, competent and honest Gambian who spent his entire lifetime trying to improve the lot of mankind.”

“He prays to the Almighty Allah that VP Joof is rewarded in the Hereafter for all his kind deeds, his work in improving the lot of Gambians, service to the nation as school teacher and for everything he did for the consolidation of our newly-found democratic dispensation.

“In memory of the late VP Joof, President Barrow has declared a 7-day National Mourning effective today, 18th January, 2023 with all flags flying half Mast,” Ebrima G Sankareh said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba