Politics & Government Guide
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in Gambia
The Gambia is a presidential republic where President Adama Barrow serves as both head of state and head of government. The country operates under a 1997 Constitution providing for a unicameral legislature and independent judiciary. Recent political developments have centered on constitutional reform efforts and concerns about executive power, with the 2024 constitutional bill rejected by the National Assembly and presidential elections scheduled for December 2026.
Democracy Index
Moderate
Government Type
Presidential Republic
Legal System
Mixed legal system based on English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
Head of State
President Adama Barrow(since 2017)
Head of Government
President Adama Barrow(Independent)since 2017
Political Indicators
Democracy Index
Scale: 0-10
Hybrid Regime
International IDEA (2024)
Legislature
Major Political Parties
Center
Opposition
Opposition
Voting Rights
All citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote in presidential and legislative elections. The President is elected by absolute majority vote with a two-round system for a five-year term.
Recent Developments
- National Assembly rejected the Constitution (Promulgation) Bill 2024 at second reading, halting constitutional reform efforts that would have modified presidential term limits and executive powers
- Auditor General Modou Ceesay was removed from office in September 2025 following a disputed cabinet shuffle, triggering legal challenges and concerns about executive overreach
- Presidential elections scheduled for December 5, 2026, with incumbent President Adama Barrow running for a third term
- Ongoing constitutional reform debate centered on checks and balances, with opposition parties advocating for the 2020 Draft Constitution that included presidential term limits
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