Sir Dawda Jawara to launch book saturday

H.E. Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, former President of the Republic of The Gambia, will this Saturday 10 April 2010 launch a book entitled "KAIRABA" at the Kairaba Beach Hotel at 10 am, a press released issued to this paper last evening stated.

The book will be launched under the distinguished Chief Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Prof Alhaji Dr Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia and H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will chair the occasion.

H.E. Alpha Omar Konare, former President of Mali and former President of the A.U. Commission, H.E. Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah former President of Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, President of the ECOWAS Commission and H.E. Senator Liyel Imoke, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria, will also be in attendance.

The autobiography, which chronicles the life and times of Sir Dawda, who was the leader of the People's Progressive Party (the party that led The Gambia to independence) for some 40 years, will be  reviewed by Mr. Monie Ralph Captan, former Foreign Minister of Liberia, Chairman of Comium Liberia and President of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce.

Sir Dawda served the Gambia as veterinary officer, principal veterinary officer, minister of education, prime minister and then President. In this moving account, Sir Dawda Jawara, widely known for his tolerance, respect for democracy and the rule of law, bares his heart on the struggle for the independence of The Gambia, the establishment of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in The Gambia, the 1981 abortive coup, the Senegambia Confederation, the 1994 coup and life in exile in the UK.

With conciseness and candour, Jawara gives a graphic account of the events leading up to his reconciliation with President Jammeh.

Kairaba is essential reading for anyone who is interested in the political and socio-economic development of The Gambia.