Th edeath has been announced Thursday of Aji Fatou Sallah,a veteran female politician . Sallah, 76, was pronounced dead at the RVTH on Wednesday. Born in Banjul on 9th June ,1936 the deceased is a renowned politician who worked immensely towards the development of politics in the First and Second Republics.

She reportedly began her political career during the pre-independence era as a young activist under the Gambia Muslim Congress (GMC) of the late IM Garba Jahumpa. After the amalgamation of the GMC with the PPP, she became a senior member of the PPP. In the First Republic, she served as president of the PPP Women’s Wing until the change of government in 1994. She was among the first lady councilors at the Women’s Bureau.

When the change of government occured in 1994, she was among the first PPP stalwarts to publicly support the July 22nd Revolution.

She later established the Women Skills Center for Girls in Banjul. She became the first APRC deputy national mobiliser (women) until two years ago when she retired from active politics reportedly of ill-health.

The late Aji Fatou Sallah was prominent in religious activities and greatly contributed to the Banjul Independence Drive Mosque annual Gamo. She was married to the late B.O Semega Janneh and blessed with eight children and 25 grand children.

At a funeral held Thursday at her residence at Gloucester Street in Banjul, hundreds of mourners including the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Aja Isatou Njie Saidy, and other senior government officials attended and paid their last respect and condolence to the family.

At the praying ground along the Independence Drive Mosque, Daily Observer managed to talk to both family members and friends of the deceased as well as APRC stalwarts. Aji Halimatou Sadia alias Aunty Lulu Jarjue, a friend and former secretary to the late Aji Fatou Sallah, described her demise as a great loss to the entire country particularly the women folk, as she devoted all her life to the service of her country and humanity.

Samba Faal, the mayor of Banjul described the deceased as a mother, a good leader, very able politician and a community leader. According to him, the deceased was an icon in the politics of Banjul and one who was really involved in religious affairs in the capital city. He also recalled the mediation efforts she was doing in the political field.

Yankuba Colley, the mayor of KMC and APRC national mobiliser said the late Aji Fatou Sallah has contributed a lot towards the development of the ruling APRC and the socio-political development of the country.

The president of the Supreme Islamic Council, Alhaji Momodou Lamin Touray described the late Aji Fatou Sallah as a true Muslim and prayed for her to rest in eternal peace.  Alh. Momodou Biri Njie, APRC divisional chairman for Banjul and Imam Masamba Jagne of King Fahad Mosque also expressed similar sentiments.

The late Aji Fatou Sallah was finally laid to rest at the Jeshwang Muslim Cemetery at 3pm.