List of heads of state of the Gambia

Wikimedia list article

This is a list of the heads of state of The Gambia, from the independence of The Gambia in 1965 to the present day.

President of the
Republic of The Gambia
Presidential Flag
Incumbent
Adama Barrow

since 19 January 2017
ResidenceState House, Banjul
Term length5 years, renewable
Inaugural holderDawda Jawara
Formation24 April 1970
DeputyVice-President of The Gambia
Salary65,000 USD annually[1]
Websitehttp://statehouse.gov.gm/

From 1965 to 1970 the head of state under the Gambia Independence Act 1964 was the Queen of The Gambia, Elizabeth II, who was also the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The Queen was represented in The Gambia by a Governor-General. The Gambia became a republic in 1970 and the Monarch and Governor-General were replaced by an executive President.

Monarch (1965–1970) change

The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.

Monarch

(Birth–Death)

Portrait Reign Royal House Prime Minister
Reign start Reign end Time in Office
1 Queen Elizabeth II

(1926–2022)

  18 February 1965 24 April 1970 5 years,

66 days

Windsor Jawara

Governor-General change

The Governor-General was the representative of the Monarch in The Gambia and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The Governor-General was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the Monarch. The Governor-General was appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of The Gambia without the involvement of the British government. In the event of a vacancy the Chief Justice served as Officer Administering the Government.

Status
  Denotes Chief Justice acting as Officer Administering the Government
Governor-General

(Birth–Death)

Portrait Tenure Monarch Prime Minister
Took office Left office Time in Office
1 Sir John Paul(1916–2004)   18 February 1965 9 February 1966 356 days Elizabeth II Jawara
2 Sir Farimang Mamadi Singateh(1912–1977)   9 February 1966 24 April 1970 4 years

75 days

Elizabeth II Jawara

First Republic (1970–1994) change

Under the 1970 Constitution, the first constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, the President replaced the Monarch as executive head of state. The President was elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy the Vice-President served as Acting President.

Status
  Denotes Vice-President acting as President
President

(Birth–Death)

Portrait Tenure Elected Political affiliation

(at time of appointment)

Took office Left office Time in Office
1 Sir Dawda Jawara

(1924–2019)

  24 April 1970 22 July 1994

(deposed.)

32 years,

40 days

1972
1977
1982
1987
1992
People's Progressive Party
2 Kukoi Sanyang (1952 – 2013) 30 July 1981 5 August 1981 chairman National Revolutionary Council, in rebellion
3 Sir Dawda Jawara

(1924–2019)

 

5 August 1981 22 July 1994 12 years, 351 days 1982

1987
1992

People's Progressive Party

Military rule (1994–1996) change

Colonel Yahya Jammeh led a coup d'état which overthrew President Jawara and his government, all political parties and Parliament were dissolved.

Head of State

(Birth–Death)

Portrait Tenure Military
Took office Left office Time in Office
4 Colonel Yahya Jammeh(1965–)   22 July 1994 18 October 1996 2 years,

86 days

Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council

Second Republic (1996–present) change

Under the current constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, the President is executive head of state. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the Vice-President will serve as Acting President.

Status
  Denotes Vice-President acting as President
President

(Birth–Death)

Portrait Tenure Elected Political affiliation

(at time of appointment)

Took office Left office Time in Office
(5) Yahya Jammeh(1965–)   18 October 1996 19 January 2017 20 years, 76 days 1996
2001
2006
2011
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction
6 Adama Barrow(1965–)   19 January 2017[2] Incumbent 7 years, 67 days 2016 United Democratic Party

Standards change

Living former heads of state change

There are two living former Gambian Heads of State:

Image Name Term/Reign Office Date of birth
  Yahya Jammeh 1994–1996

1996–2017

Military ruler

President of The Gambia

(1965-05-25) 25 May 1965 (age 58)

Notes change

  1. "Top 15 Highest Paid African Presidents 2017". 15 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  2. Presidency was in dispute from 19–21 January 2017.

Other websites change