The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) has expressed it’s sadness at news of the passing-away of the Gambia’s first President, Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, on 27 August 2019.
It described the former long-term ruler as an African Statesman who contributed relentlessly to the development and adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ (also called the Banjul Charter), and the selection of Banjul, The Gambia as host for the Secretariat of the African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The said Charter and Commission today constitute the foundation for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. We celebrate his legacy, especially his respect for human rights and democratic principles, and his restraint to act in illegality to oust his successor, Yahya Jammeh, as President of The Gambia, even though the latter forced him out of office through a coup d’état.
“We would always remember his famous case before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Communication 147/95-149/96: Sir Dawda K. Jawara / Gambia) which is reputed to be the most cited case decided by the said Commission, and still remains a precedent-setter, especially on exhaustion of local remedies,” the rights group said.
“We commit to upholding his legacy for an Africa where there is respect for the values and principles of human rights and democracy.
“We expend our deepest condolences to his family and to the people of the Republic of The Gambia.”
Somewhere in Africa. The man died. As Africans we cannot denigrate the dead, but there is celebration on the streets of Zimbabwe. Mugabe died at a ripe old age of 95. In life he did not give many of his country men and women that luxury. He was
Wicked
Evil
Deadly and
Greedy
What a legacy.
A lesson to African leaders. Know this. To serve is an awesome responsibility and a privilege. Let history remember you as a
Kind.
Respectful.
Responsive.
Responsible.
Just.
Moral.
Capable and
Competent Leader.
Our hope for The Gambia.