Badara Alieu Joof, the Vice President of The Gambia, has died of illness in India, President Barrow announced.
Joof, who flew to India three weeks ago for medical treatment, died of “short illness”, the Gambian leader. It is unclear what the illness was.
“Fellow Gambians, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing away of my Vice-president, His Excellency, Badara Alieu Joof. The sad event took place in India after a short illness. May Allah grant him Jannahtul Firdawsi”, Barrow said.
The 65-year old was appointed Vice President in 2022 after Barrow’s re-election in December 2021 for a second mandate.
Joof’s last public state appearance came in June when he reportedly expressed dissatisfaction about the conduct of public affairs, saying Gambians had great expectations and “business as usual” would not lead to decisive change.