Gambia News

Gambia rejoins Commonwealth after democratic election

By AFP

London - The Gambia was readmitted to the Commonwealth on Thursday, welcomed back into the fold after its sudden pullout in 2013 and following the democratic election last year of President Adama Barrow.

Soldiers held without trial threaten 'new Gambia' reputation

By AFP

Banjul - When strongman Yahya Jammeh left The Gambia for exile after 22 years, new foreign minister Ousainou Darboe pledged the tiny nation would become the "human rights capital of Africa".

Gambians organise to stop young migrants risking it all

By AFP

Banjul - After being stripped, beaten, robbed, enslaved and finally deported back to The Gambia, Karamo Keita is clear: no young Gambian should go through what he did in Libya.

Adama Barrow: how do you solve a problem like The Gambia?

By AFP

Banjul - Six months ago, businessman and political novice Adama Barrow took power in Africa's smallest mainland country after delivering a stunning defeat against ex-leader Yahya Jammeh, who had ruled brutally for 22 years.

Gambia tackles sleazy image to diversify tourism

By AFP

Serrekunda - For decades, The Gambia has built a reputation as a haven for tourists willing to pay for sun, sand, sea... and sex.

Gambia's 'broken' justice system struggles with victims' ire

By AFP

Banjul - Gambians want swift justice for the crimes of fallen dictator Yahya Jammeh's regime but the new government faces an uphill battle to jail the most prolific abusers.

Gambia's race to save its 'Roots' on Kunta Kinteh island

By AFP

As the rebel slave who defied his captors, Kunta Kinte, immortalised in print and on screen in "Roots", put The Gambia on the map for historical tourism.

Gambians head to polls for first post-Jammeh vote

By AFP

Banjul - Gambians head to the polls on Thursday for the first time since the departure of longtime leader Yahya Jammeh, with multiple parties poised to enter parliament after 22 years of effective one-party rule.

Dancing in the dark with Jammeh's diehard supporters

By AFP

Bakau - They came to dance in green t-shirts adorned with Yahya Jammeh's grinning face and to sing the old songs of adulation as though he never went away.

The Gambia prepares for first post-Jammeh poll

By AFP

Banjul - The Gambia holds its first election Thursday since the downfall of longtime leader Yahya Jammeh, with expectations high that new lawmakers will overhaul a national assembly once derided as a mere rubberstamp.

Gambia coalition near collapse over legislative election

By AFP

Banjul - Gambian coalition parties which united last year to deliver the first new president in 22 years are unlikely to run together for legislative elections next month, a senior government source told AFP.

Gambian police launch probe into journalist's beating

By AFP

Banjul - Gambian police have launched an investigation into a violent public assault of a reporter by supporters of President Adama Barrow, a police source told AFP Wednesday.

Senegal and Gambia announce new era of ties

By AFP

Dakar - Senegal and The Gambia on Saturday affirmed a "new dynamic" between the two countries since the fall of former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, and vowed to strengthen economic and military co-operation.

Jammeh's missing: tracing The Gambia's disappeared

By AFP

Banjul - Pensioner Sarjo Manneh celebrated more joyfully than most when former leader Yahya Jammeh agreed to leave The Gambia in January.After a decade, he believed he might see his son again. But nearly a month later, he is still waiting.

Gambia celebrates Barrow's inauguration

By AFP

Bakau - Thousands celebrated Saturday as new Gambian President Adama Barrow retook his oath of office, a month after he was sworn in across the border in neighbouring Senegal during a tense power struggle.

Gambia welcomes British FM for first time since independence

By AFP

Banjul - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who in the past sparked fury over comments about Africans, arrives in The Gambia on a charm offensive Tuesday as its new government considers rejoining the Commonwealth.

The real and imagined crimes of Gambia's Yahya Jammeh

By AFP

Banjul - The Gambia's former president Yahya Jammeh wielded a potent mix of brute force and mysticism to keep citizens in a permanent state of fear, a legacy that lingers.

Appeals to faith and patriotism persuaded Gambia ex-leader to quit

By AFP

Conakry - In pushing Yahya Jammeh to give up The Gambia's presidency, negotiators played on two key cards: his deep Muslim faith and his professed love of country.

Barrow returns to warm welcome as Gambia turns a page

By AFP

Banjul - President Adama Barrow may have been waiting to take power in The Gambia for nearly two months but many in the west African country have been longing for a change of guard for years.

Gambia leader to return home after crisis

By AFP

Dakar - The Gambia's new president will return to the capital on Thursday, aides said, ending a prolonged political crisis sparked by disputed elections that forced him to flee to neighbouring Senegal.

Gambia's Barrow to return home Thursday

By AFP

Dakar - The Gambia's new president will cap a prolonged political crisis by returning to Banjul on Thursday, after fleeing to Senegal for his safety.

Gambia's new government mired in controversy

By AFP

Banjul - Gambian President Adama Barrow's administration faced a backlash Tuesday after admitting its new vice-president may be constitutionally barred from serving and confirming ex-leader Yahya Jammeh will be permitted to keep a fleet of luxury cars.