Yankuba Colley, former mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and a prominent figure in The Gambia’s political landscape, passed away yesterday, as confirmed by sources within his former political party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC).
Colley, who had traveled to Turkey for medical treatment, succumbed to an undisclosed illness, marking the end of his influential role in Gambian local governance.Colley served as the mayor of KMC for a decade, from 2008 to 2018, a period during which he became a central figure in the administration of the country’s largest municipal area.
His leadership tenure coincided with a turbulent era in Gambian politics under the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh. Throughout his career, Colley remained a staunch supporter of the APRC, which ruled The Gambia for over two decades until Jammeh’s defeat in the 2016 presidential election.According to party sources, Colley’s body is expected to be repatriated from Turkey and is set to arrive in The Gambia on Sunday.
His funeral is planned for Monday, with burial scheduled for 2 PM. This event will likely draw many local dignitaries, party members, and supporters, as Colley’s legacy remains significant within the APRC and broader Gambian society.Colley’s passing marks the end of an era for the APRC and its loyalists, many of whom saw him as a figure of stability during a politically volatile time. His contributions to local governance and his influence within the APRC will be remembered as a key chapter in the political history of The Gambia.
