Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was a significant political figure in The Gambia and served as its first leader following independence. He was born on May 16, 1924, in Barajally, MacCarthy Island (now Janjanbureh), and initially pursued veterinary studies, obtaining his qualification from the University of Glasgow in Scotland in 1953. Upon returning to The Gambia, he entered public service as a veterinary officer.

Jawara's entry into politics began in the late 1950s, where he joined the Protectorate People's Party, which was later renamed the People's Progressive Party (PPP). He became the party leader in 1959. The PPP primarily represented rural interests, particularly those of the Mandinka ethnic group. Jawara's party steadily gained support, and in 1962, he was elected to the House of Representatives, becoming the Minister of Education.

In 1965, The Gambia gained independence from Britain, and Jawara became the country's first Prime Minister. He later transitioned to become the country's first President when The Gambia became a republic in 1970. Jawara's leadership was marked by his commitment to democracy, economic development, and peace. His administration maintained The Gambia's non-aligned stance during the Cold War, and he established strong relations with both Western and African nations.

Jawara successfully maintained his presidency through successive elections, and his government was one of the longest-standing democratic regimes in Africa. However, his tenure was not without challenges. A notable event was the 1981 coup attempt led by Kukoi Sanyang, which was quashed with military assistance from Senegal under the Senegambia Confederation agreement. This confederation, established in 1982, was a brief political and military union between The Gambia and Senegal, lasting until 1989, when differences in governance and policies led to its dissolution.

In July 1994, Jawara's presidency was abruptly ended by a military coup led by Yahya Jammeh, forcing Jawara into exile. He initially fled to Senegal and later moved to the United Kingdom. Despite this abrupt end to his political career, Jawara remained a respected figure in Gambian and African politics. In 2002, Jawara was granted amnesty by Jammeh and returned to The Gambia, where he lived peacefully until his death on August 27, 2019.

Jawara's legacy is remembered for his dedication to democratic principles, his leadership during The Gambia's early years of independence, and his efforts to maintain peace in a region often troubled by conflict.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawda_Jawara