Politics of the Gambia
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Politics of The Gambia takes place within the framework of a
The 1970 constitution of The Gambia, which divided the government into independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, was suspended after the 1994 military coup. As part of the transition process, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) established the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) through decree in March 1995. In accordance with the timetable for the transition to a democratically elected government, the commission drafted a new constitution for The Gambia which was approved by referendum in August 1996. The constitution provides for a presidential system, a unicameral legislature, an independent judiciary, and the protection of human rights.
Political conditions
Before the
The People's Progressive Party (PPP) project preparation plan, headed by former president Jawara, had dominated Gambian politics for nearly 30 years. The last elections under the PPP regime were held in April 1992.
Following the coup, a presidential election took place in September 1996, in which retired Col.
In 2005 the political scenario was changed, as five opposition parties united under the umbrella of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD). NADD thus represented virtually all political opposition forces in the country. Following the registration of NADD, the High Court ruled that dual party membership was unconstitutional, and as NADD had been registered as a political party all four opposition MPs were dismissed from the National Assembly. By-elections were held on 29 September, in which NADD retained three of the four seats. On 15 November the same year, three high-ranking NADD leaders (including the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Halifa Sallah) were arrested on the grounds of subversion.
On 21 and 22 March 2006, amid tensions preceding the
The next presidential election took place on 22 September 2006. The nominations for party presidential candidates were held on 28 August 2006, amid reports of the Government intimidating and unfairly detaining Opposition members and sympathisers, and of using the machinery of state (including the national media arm of the Government,
On 31 December 2014, a coup was attempted when a military deserter along with supporters attacked the presidential palace. The coup failed and the alleged ringleader, Lamin Sanneh, was amongst those killed by forces loyal to Jammeh.[1][2]
Following the
Executive branch
Office | Name | Party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
President
|
Adama Barrow | Independent
|
19 January 2017 |
Vice-President
|
Muhammad B.S. Jallow
|
Independent
|
15 March 2019 |
The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted. The President appoints the members of the
Legislative branch
The
Judicial branch
Supreme Court of the Gambia (since 1998).
Until 1998, there was a right of appeal from the Court of Appeal of The Gambia to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
The last case from The Gambia to be decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was 'West Coast Air Limited v. Gambia Civil Aviation Authority and Others U.K.P.C. 39 (15 September 1998)[1]
Political parties and elections
Presidential elections
Summary of the 1 December 2016
Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
---|---|---|---|
Adama Barrow | Coalition 2016 | 227,708 | 43.3 |
Yahya Jammeh | Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction | 208,487 | 39.6 |
Mamma Kandeh |
Gambia Democratic Congress | 89,768 | 17.1 |
Total | 525,963 | 100 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 886,578 | 59.3 | |
Source: IEC (votes) IEC (registered voters) |
Parliamentary elections
Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Democratic Party | 142,146 | 37.47 | 31 | New | |
Gambia Democratic Congress | 65,938 | 17.38 | 5 | New | |
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction | 60,331 | 15.91 | 5 | –38 | |
People's Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism | 33,894 | 8.94 | 4 | New | |
National Reconciliation Party | 23,755 | 6.26 | 5 | +4 | |
People's Progressive Party | 9,503 | 2.51 | 2 | New | |
Gambia Moral Congress | 4,458 | 1.18 | 0 | New | |
National Convention Party | 1,773 | 0.47 | 0 | New | |
Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress | 1,271 | 0.34 | 0 | New | |
Independents | 36,251 | 9.56 | 1 | –3 | |
Appointed seats | 5 | – | |||
Total | 379,320 | 100.00 | 58 | +5 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 886,578 | – | |||
Source: IEC |
Administrative divisions
Local government in The Gambia varies. The capital city, Banjul, has an elected town council. Five rural divisions exist (Lower River, Central River, North Bank, Upper River, Western), each with a council containing a majority of elected members. Each council has its own treasury and is responsible for local government services. Tribal chiefs retain traditional powers authorised by customary law in some instances.
International organisation participation
The Gambia is a member of these international organisations:
References
- ^ "Dlamini-Zuma calls for calm after failed coup in Gambia". News24. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Gambia Failed Coup Attempt". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ Gambia's Jammeh loses to Adama Barrow in shock election result. BBC News (2 December 2016). Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ Gambia leader Yahya Jammeh rejects election result. BBC News (10 December 2016). Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ Maclean, Ruth (21 January 2017). "The Gambia: defeated president backs down and agrees to go into exile". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ Felix, Bate; Saine, Pap (5 December 2021). "Gambian President Barrow wins re-election; opposition cries foul". Reuters.