From Empire to Independence

The modern-day Gambia was once part of the Ghana, Mali and Songhai Empires.

In 1807, the United Kingdom abolished the slave trade throughout its Empire. It also tried, unsuccessfully, to end the slave trade in The Gambia. Slave ships intercepted by the Royal Navy in the Atlantic were also returned to The Gambia, with Liberated Slaves (Aku People) released on MacCarthy Island ( was later renamed Georgetown and now known as Janjanbureh, it’s original African name for the 2 brothers that founded it) far up the Gambia River where they were expected to establish new lives. Georgetown was founded by the British as a Creole settlement, though it was quickly populated by liberated Africans from elsewhere. The town gradually became an administrative and economic center for the country. An 1889 agreement with France established the present boundaries, and The Gambia became a British Crown Colony. 

The Gambia achieved independence on February 18, 1965 as a constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth. On April 24, 1970, The Gambia became a republic within the Commonwealth, following a second referendum, with Prime Minister Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, as head of state. The Gambia was led by President Jawara, who was re-elected five times and remained in office until a successful bloodless coup in 1994. There had been at least two unsuccessful coups in his administration before 1994.

His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (phew, that’s more than a mouthful), born 25 May 1965 was a 29 year old, young army officer when he took power in a July 1994 military coup and was elected as President in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011.

The national flag of The Gambia designed by Pa Louis Thomasi, consists of a horizontal tricolour of red, blue and green.. The colours are separated by white stripes. The red at the top symbolises the sun, as well as the savanna. Below the red is blue that symbolises the Gambia RIver that flows through the nation. The green symbolises the land, and also the forests of the nation. The white portions represent peace. The flag was adopted on February 18, 1965, the day it became fully independent of Britain. The flag of the Gambia has no political basis.

Gambia' motto is, "Peace, Progress and Prosperity". 

Class is dismissed! See ya Friday, then we'll take a holiday break, or not!