The police in the city of Seattle, Washington State, United States, have confirmed that Dr. Edward Saja Sanneh, a former energy minister in the previous regime, passed away after being assaulted in Hing Hay Park in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District on May 13, 2024.
The individual suspected of the assault was apprehended following the incident in which Sanneh, aged 46, lost consciousness. He was subsequently transported to a hospital and passed away a few days after that.
Dr. Sanneh, holding a PhD in Environmental Engineering, was appointed Minister of Energy by former President Jammeh in 2014. After two years, he was dismissed from his ministerial position in 2016.
The Alkamba Times was unable to determine the motive behind the fatal incident, as sources indicated that the assailant was not acquainted with the victim.
Alagi Yero Jallow, a veteran Gambian journalist, in a tribute to Dr. Sanneh, said:
“Dr. Edward Sanneh was an outstanding, indomitable, and irreverent scholar, a pragmatic professional, a remarkable human being, a dedicated husband and father, and a faithful and delightful friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was an exceptionally decent and compassionate individual. The sharpness of his intellect, the kindness of his heart, and the selflessness of his spirit immediately impressed me. His passion for the advancement of youth was profound and contagious. I saw him as a man of wisdom and a great thinker. I learned immensely from him through our engaging and challenging discussions on various topics during online and telephone conversations while working on a draft manuscript for publication. His contributions to my intellectual curiosity and personal development will forever be treasured.”
