Executive branch:
chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 12 October
1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997);
note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18
October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March
1997); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the president
elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year
term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 26
September 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH elected president; percent
of vote—Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 55.5%, Ousainou DARBOE 35.8%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly; 49 seats (45
elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the president; all for
five-year terms)
elections: last popular election held 2 January 1997 (next to be
held NA 2002)
election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—APRC
33, UDP 7, NRP 2, PDOIS 1, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Patriotic
Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS
note—in August 1996 the government banned the following from
participation in the elections of 1996: People's Progressive Party
President Sheriff DIBBA] and the Gambian People's Party or GPP
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Crispin GREY-JOHNSON chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George W. HALEY embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
Economy
Economy—overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 made Senegalese goods more competitive and hurt the reexport trade. The Gambia has benefited from a rebound in tourism after its decline in response to the military's takeover in July 1994. Short-run economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid and on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice.