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When the military was not paid, a new attempt was made to oust Jawara
on 22 July 1994. This time the uprising was bloodless. A young lieutenant,
Yahyah Jammeh, who always appeared in public wearing combat fatigues
and dark sunglasses, came to power. Jawara was exiled to Great Britain.
A new military government was formed, and Jammeh announced that
he would remain in power at least until 1998. When the British Foreign
Secretary issued a travel warning to The Gambia, tourism broke down
completely. Jammeh changed his mind and announced free and universal
elections for 1996.
In 1997, several parties were allowed to participate in the government.
Jammeh, gaining more and more support from the people, finally won
the presidential elections with his APRC party (Alliance for Patriotic
Reorientation and Construction) with 56% of the vote.
Despite frequent accusations of corruption within the party, Jammeh
has brought a certain degree of stability to the country. Infrastructure
has improved and tourism has picked up again. However, the year
2000 saw unrest in Banjul and Brikama. Fights broke out between
civilians and security personnel. When students took to the streets
to protest the police's rude treatment, six people were killed.
After that the universities were closed.
In October 2001, the situation improved and Jammeh was confirmed
in his office. International observers said the elections were fair.
Today women have been appointed to many of the most important posts
and are therefore called "boss ladies". Female tourists
coming to The Gambia are also called "boss ladies" in
good jest.
General Facts:
The Gambia is an independent republic with a multi-party
system. The president is the head of state. He is elected
every five years in free and universal elections. Together
with his cabinet, composed of ministers and counsellors, he
forms the executive branch of the government. The legislative
branch includes the country's National Assembly. Its 42 members
are voted into office every five years. A group of impartial
judges, magistrates, and lawyers make up the judicial branch.
The country is divided into five administrative divisions
and 37 districts and is centrally governed. Decentralization
was envisioned in The Gambia's constitution, but is still
in the process of being carried out.
The Gambia is a member of various international organizations:
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Organization
of African Unity (OAU), United Nations (UN), Commonwealth
of Nations, Organization of Islamic Conference.
Source: German Federal Foreign Office
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Präsident Yahyah Jammeh
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History
