The River Gambia was known to the Carthaginians in the fifth century BC, and subsequently the area became part of several successive African empires. For a time, it was part of the Ghana empire (centred in modern-day Mauritania) and then the Songhais who brought Islam to the region. Then, in the 13th century, the river basin came under the control of Mandingo and Susu people based in what is now Mali. Mandingo influence waned with the decline of the Mali empire at the end of the 16th century, just as the first contacts with the British were taking place at the mouth of the River Gambia. A variety of rival African powers, including the Fula from northern Nigeria, followed by the Marabouts and the Soninkas, vied for influence during much of the next 200 years. During the colonial period, several European powers contested for ownership of the river and the rich trade which it carried.

Britain eventually gained control of the mouth and lower reaches of the river, thereby establishing an enclave in the surrounding French territories of Senegal and a useful base from which to launch attacks on French trading settlements. The Gambia was Britain’s first and last colony, being officially colonised in 1765 (although until 1843 it was united with Sierra Leone) and gaining independence 200 years later in February 1965.

The country became a republic in April 1970 as a member of the Commonwealth. Sir Dawda Jawara became the country’s president, and was re-elected to the post in 1972 and 1977. Despite the evident tranquillity, the Government was, by 1980, becoming seriously worried by disaffection amongst the military. Jawara sought the help of his larger neighbour. However, nothing was resolved by the time of the attempted coup in July 1981. Although it failed, it had a profound effect on Gambian politics at the time. Immediately after the restoration of the legitimate government, which took place with the help of Senegalese (and a small number of British) troops, a confederation of Senegal and The Gambia was announced under the leadership of President Diouf of Senegal, with President Jawara as his deputy. The intention was to harmonise the two countries’ political, economic and defence policies as a preparatory step towards full unification. The project was aborted in 1989, although very close links between the two countries have remained since the divorce.

President Jawara was confirmed for a further term following elections held in April 1992. However, none of the issues that gave rise to the 1981 coup attempt had been addressed. These included poor conditions for the military, and the unequal distribution of the benefits of the country’s growing tourist economy. In July 1994, while Jawara was visiting the UK, a movement of young army officers (inspired in part by those who had recently taken over in Sierra Leone) took power in a bloodless military coup led by Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh. Jawara remained in exile (he returned to the country in June 2002). Over the next two years, under constant foreign pressure, Jammeh moved methodically to establish the new regime’s legitimacy, holding a referendum for a new draft constitution (which was accepted) and relaxing restrictions on party political activity. Then, in September 1996, he officially resigned from the army to contest the upcoming presidential election with the newly-founded Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) as his political vehicle. The election at the end of September duly brought victory for Jammeh and, in January 1997, the APRC won an overwhelming majority of the seats in the poll for a new National Assembly. The most recent presidential and legislative polls in October 2001 and January 2002 repeated the results of five years earlier, leaving Jammeh and the APRC firmly in control of The Gambia.

Many of the international economic and political links damaged by the coup have since gradually been restored. However, Jammeh has dropped Jawara’s rigid pro-Western stance and has looked further afield for new donors and trading partners: these now include Libya and Taiwan, as well as Cuba, Iran and Nigeria. New agreements were also signed with neighbouring Senegal. The rules governing idependent media in The Gambia have been tightened over recent years in a bid to control the freedom of the press.

The 1970 constitution was revoked following the July 1994 military coup. The Constitution of the Second Republic of The Gambia, which was approved in a national referendum on 8 August 1996, came into effect on 16 January 1997. Under its terms, the Head of State is the President of the Republic, who is directly elected by universal adult suffrage and holds executive authority. Legislative authority is vested in the National Assembly, which serves a five-year term and comprises 49 members directly elected and four members nominated by the President. The President also appoints government members, who are responsible both to the Head of State and to the National Assembly.