Citation

Perfect D. History Compass 2008; 6(2): 426-438.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00513.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines politics in The Gambia since it achieved its independence from Britain in 1965. The Gambia was the longest continuously surviving multi-party democracy in Africa until a successful military coup in 1994, with civilian rule being restored in 1996. The article explores political developments under its two post-colonial leaders, Sir Dawda Jawara (1965–94) and Yahya Jammeh (1994–) in detail, discussing the major Gambian political parties and their performance in national elections; the military coups of 1981 and 1994; and other key events. The overall performance of both governments, in terms of economic and social developments and human rights, is also assessed.