Gambia: Nation pays last respects to Vice President

The memorial service for Gambia’s Vice-President Alieu Badara Joof has taken place at the country’s parliament after his death last week at the age of 66.

He was in India receiving treatment from an undisclosed illness when he passed away.

Joof had served as vice-president under Adama Barrow for just nine months.

The president was among thousands of mourners who attended the funeral to pay their last respects to a man described as “modest and blunt”.

Mr Barrow remembered one of the late vice-president’s controversial statements and quoting him as saying: “You cannot make omelette without breaking the eggs. I will talk to the truth, if you want, let the president get me out. But I will say it as it is and I have been saying as it is in the cabinet.”

Justice Minister Dawda Jallow broke down while paying tribute, saying his former cabinet colleague will be missed.