<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: The Gambia<nl>Government</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> Republic of The Gambia
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> The Gambia
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> GA
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> republic under multiparty democratic rule
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Banjul
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 24 April 1970
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 21 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state and head of government:</hi> President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice President Saihou SABALLY (since NA); election last held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); results—Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the president from members of the House of Representatives
<item><hi format=bold>House of Representatives:</hi> elections last held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); results—PPP 58.1%, seats—(43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA, secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA; Gambian People's Party (GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH