Gambians showed love to former leader Yahya Jammeh whose mother died on Friday by his side in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea where he was forced into exile after the December 2016 presidential elections.
Asombi Bojang’s died after spending a year and seven months with her son who recently created panic in The Gambia after an audio conversation of him and his party leaders hinting a comeback leaked.
The government of The Gambia led by President Adama Barrow was quick to send messages of condolence to the former leader whom they condemned for the content of the recently leaked audio.
“Following news of the demise of Aja Asombi Bojang, mother of former President, Yahya Jammeh, His Excellency Adama Barrow on behalf of the people of the Republic of The Gambia, the first family and on his own behalf expresses his condolences to the former Head of State and his family. President Barrow prays for Allah to grant her eternal peace,” the presidency said in a statement.
Following news of the demise of Aja Asombi Bojang, mother of former President, Yahya Jammeh, @BarrowPresident on behalf of the people of the Republic of The Gambia, the first family and on his behalf expresses his condolences to the former Head of State and his family.
— State House of The Gambia (@Presidency_GMB) July 29, 2018
According to family sources, she passed away in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. President Barrow prays for Allah to grant her eternal peace.
— State House of The Gambia (@Presidency_GMB) July 29, 2018
The government proceeded to send a delegation which included the Vice President Ousainou Darboe and cabinet ministers to the home of the brother of Yahya Jammeh, Ansumana Jammeh, on Sunday to extend the country’s condolences.
#Gambia Govt delegation, comprising Vice President, cabinet Ministers today visited home of Ansumana Jammeh, brother to ex Head of State #Jammeh, to extend condolences on the demise of Aja Asombi Bojang. #APRC MPs, executive members were in attendance.#NewGambia#DevelopGambia pic.twitter.com/cJDp1s4Giu
— Sanna Camara (@maimuhyai) July 29, 2018
Asombi Bojang will be flown to The Gambia for burial at her native village of Bujinga, reports Gambian journalist Alhagie Jobe on social media citing Jammeh ally Yankuba Colley as the source of the information.
#Gambia: Body of late Asombi #Bojang, mother of exiled ex-Pres #Jammeh will be flown to Gambia for burial. She died Friday in #Malabo, Equatorial #Guinea where Jammeh family lives in exile. Ex-KMC Mayor Yankuba #Colley confirms she will be buried at her native village of Bujinga. pic.twitter.com/u9gVBizNIO
— Alhagie Jobe (@freejobe39) July 30, 2018
Meanwhile, the former president cannot be present at the burial of his mother as he is barred from returning to the country per the terms of agreement he signed before he relinquished power.
Gambians followed the presidency’s gesture of commiserating with the former leader by expressing their condolences and prayers for Jammeh’s mother.
RIP. Adama Barrow you did what a leader is expected to do. Thank you may Allah reward you abundantly.
— Jafar Aziz Tunkara (@JaharaTunkara) July 30, 2018
May Her soul RIP
— yusupha tangigora (@tangory1) July 30, 2018
This is why I said, don’t doubt the tolerance of Gambians. Few years ago #Jammeh denied the family of late Bubacarr Baldeh the chance to him buried in #Gambia, yet rightly so @BarrowPresident govt is paying condolences to his family on the death of his mother Asombi Bojang. https://t.co/98whbURyeb
— Ansu Ceesay (@nfansu) July 30, 2018
A prayer for Yaya Jammeh’s mother, who passed away last night. A kind and loving soul has left us. May Jannah welcome Fatou Asombi Bojang with all it has on offer
— APRC Official (@Official_APRC) July 28, 2018
Should #Jammeh‘s mother be allowed burial rites in Gambia?
— Paradise TV Gambia (@ptvgambia) July 28, 2018
We believe that Yahya Jammeh’s late mother should be returned to Gambia for burial. We are better than him, more Muslim than him!!
— Gainako Editor (@dbaldeh) July 28, 2018
Yes I don’t see any problem with that what ever happened is jammeh not the mother thanks
— Tijan (@tsamureh) July 30, 2018