Lt Col Vincent Jatta, 43, former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) passed away during the early hours of yesterday following a short illness, reliable sources said.

The sources added that he fell ill on Friday, December 21, 2007 and was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit of the  Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH).

Born at Dasilami, Kombo Central, the late Lt Col Jatta joined the army  in 1987, and served as CDS from November to December 2004 when he was removed. He was arrested in March 2006 in connection with the abortive coup but was released  on June 6 2007.

He was married with two children.

He will be buried tomorrow.