Gambia - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Gambia, it was named for the Gambia River that flows through the country; Portuguese explorers in the 15th century derived the name for the river from its local name, Ba-Dimma, meaning "the river". The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 5 regions, 1 city*, and 1 municipality**; Banjul*, Central River, Kanifing**, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast
National symbols
Lion.
The flag
The National flag of Gambia has .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Gambia
| Date of Independence | 18 February 1965 (from the UK) |
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| National holiday | Independence Day, 18 February (1965) |
| Legal system | mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1965 (Independence Act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997 |
| Amendment process | Proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly membership in each of several readings and approval by the president of the republic; a referendum is required for amendments affecting national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, government structures and authorities, taxation, and public funding; passage by referendum requires participation of at least 50% of eligible voters and approval by at least 75% of votes cast |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | yes |
| Citizenship by descent only | yes |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022) |
| Head of government | Vice President Mohammed JALLOW (since 23 February 2024) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president |
| Election/appointment process | president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); vice president appointed by the president |
| Most recent election date | 4 December 2021 |
| Election results | 2021: Adama BARROW reelected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (NPP) 53.2%, Ousainou DARBOE (UDP) 27.7%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 12.3%, other 6.8% 2016: Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1% |
| Expected date of next election | 2026 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | National Assembly |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 58 (53 directly elected; 5 appointed) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 4/9/2022 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | National People's Party (NPP) (18); United Democratic Party (UDP) (15); National Reconciliation Party (NRP) (4); Independents (12); Other (4) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 8.6% |
| Expected date of next election | April 2027 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices; court sessions held with 5 justices) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 75 |
| Subordinate courts | Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts; cadi courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Momodou Lamin BAH (12 December 2022) |
| Chancery | 5630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 785-1399 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 785-1430 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://www.gambiaembassydc.us/home |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Robert ANDERSON (since 22 August 2025) |
| Embassy | Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, P.M.B. 19, Banjul |
| Mailing address | 2070 Banjul Place, Washington DC 20521-2070 |
| Telephone | [220] 439-2856 |
| FAX | [220] 439-2475 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://gm.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 2 (both cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites; Stone Circles of Senegambia |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Gambia
Info
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Gambia
Want to know more about Gambia? Check all different factbooks for Gambia below.
