The Gambia, a small West African country bordered by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. Though small in size, The Gambia played an important role in the trans-Saharan and Atlantic slave trades, which shaped its cultural, social, and political development. The country was a British colony for over a century before gaining independence in 1965, and it has since undergone significant political changes, including a lengthy period of authoritarian rule followed by democratic reforms. This timeline traces the key events in Gambian history, from ancient times to the present, shedding light on its transformation from a trading hub to a modern republic.

Ancient Gambia: Early Settlements and Kingdoms (circa 300 BCE – 16th Century CE)

Early Inhabitants and Settlements (circa 300 BCE – 8th Century CE)

• Archaeological evidence suggests that human habitation in The Gambia dates back to around 300 BCE, with early settlers practicing agriculture, fishing, and hunting.
• The Tanda and Tumuli burial sites, located along the Gambia River, are among the oldest known archaeological remains in the country, indicating the presence of organized communities.
• The region’s early inhabitants were likely part of the broader West African Sahelian cultures, who engaged in subsistence farming and cattle herding, relying on the Gambia River as a key source of sustenance.

The Kingdoms of West Africa (8th Century CE – 13th Century CE)

• By the 8th century, The Gambia became part of the broader trans-Saharan trade network, with goods such as gold, salt, and ivory being transported across West Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean.
• The area that is now The Gambia was influenced by powerful West African kingdoms, including the Ghana Empire (circa 300–1200 CE) and later the Mali Empire (circa 1235–1600 CE), which expanded their influence over much of West Africa, including The Gambia.
• Mansa Musa, the famous emperor of the Mali Empire, ruled a region that included The Gambia, and his empire promoted Islam, which began spreading in the region during this period.
• Islamic culture and trade played a significant role in shaping the region’s society, particularly in the areas of literacy, governance, and religious practices.

The Empire of Kaabu and the Mandinka People (13th Century CE – 16th Century CE)

• In the 13th century, the Kaabu Empire, an offshoot of the Mali Empire, established its dominance over what is now The Gambia and surrounding regions. The Mandinka people, who formed the majority of the population, became the dominant ethnic group under Kaabu’s rule.
• The Mandinka were known for their strong oral traditions, including the epic of Sundiata, and their system of governance based on clan leadership and councils of elders.
• The Kaabu Empire maintained control over the region until the 16th century, when internal conflicts and external pressures weakened its power.

European Contact and the Atlantic Slave Trade (15th Century CE – 19th Century CE)

Early European Exploration (15th Century CE – 17th Century CE)

• In 1455, Portuguese explorers arrived on the coast of The Gambia, marking the beginning of European contact with the region. The Portuguese established trading posts along the Gambia River, initially focusing on trading goods such as gold, ivory, and spices.
• Over time, the Portuguese shifted their focus to the slave trade, as demand for enslaved Africans increased in the European colonies in the Americas.
• In the 17th century, the British and French began to challenge Portuguese dominance in the region. The British established a trading post at James Island (later renamed Kunta Kinteh Island), while the French set up posts in Albreda, on the northern bank of the Gambia River.

The Atlantic Slave Trade (17th Century CE – 19th Century CE)

• The Gambia became a significant hub for the trans-Atlantic slave trade during the 17th and 18th centuries, with thousands of enslaved Africans being transported through its ports to the Americas.
• The British Royal African Company and other European merchants operated along the Gambia River, purchasing enslaved people from local intermediaries and exporting them to the Caribbean and North America.
• This period had a devastating impact on the region, leading to the depopulation of certain areas, the disruption of traditional societies, and the entrenchment of violence and warfare between different African groups vying for control over the lucrative slave trade.
• The abolition of the British slave trade in 1807 marked the beginning of the decline of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, though it continued illegally for several decades.

British Control and Colonial Expansion (19th Century CE)

• In 1816, the British established the colony of Bathurst (modern-day Banjul) on St. Mary’s Island at the mouth of the Gambia River to serve as a base for anti-slavery patrols and to control the region’s trade routes.
• Throughout the 19th century, Britain expanded its control over The Gambia, establishing treaties with local leaders and gradually extending British authority over the region.
• The Treaty of Versailles in 1783 had previously confirmed Britain’s claim to The Gambia, though it faced competition from France, which controlled neighboring Senegal. The Gambia-Senegal border was drawn in the late 19th century after negotiations between Britain and France, resulting in the narrow, river-centered territory that defines The Gambia today.

The Gambia under British Colonial Rule (19th Century CE – 1965 CE)

British Protectorate and Colonial Economy (Late 19th Century CE – Early 20th Century CE)

• In 1888, The Gambia was formally declared a British Crown Colony, and in 1894, Britain extended its control over the interior of the country, creating a protectorate that covered the area surrounding the Gambia River.
• The British colonial administration focused on economic development, particularly in groundnut cultivation, which became the colony’s primary export. Groundnuts (peanuts) were produced by local farmers and exported to Britain, where they were processed into oil.
• While the groundnut trade brought some economic growth, most of the profits were concentrated in the hands of British merchants, and the colonial government invested little in infrastructure, education, or social services for the Gambian population.

The Rise of Gambian Nationalism (Early 20th Century CE – 1950s CE)

• The early 20th century saw the rise of Gambian nationalism, as educated elites and labor leaders began to demand greater political representation and autonomy.
• In 1932, the first political organization, the Bathurst Trade Union, was founded, advocating for the rights of Gambian workers.
• In 1943, the Gambia Democratic Party was established, followed by the United Party (UP), led by Pierre Sarr N’Jie, in 1951. These early political movements called for reforms within the colonial system, including greater political participation for Gambians.
• The Protectorate People’s Party (PPP), led by Dawda Kairaba Jawara, emerged in the 1950s and became a leading force in the struggle for independence. Jawara would later become the country’s first prime minister and president.

The Road to Independence (1950s CE – 1965 CE)

• The Gambian Independence Conference in 1961 marked the beginning of the formal process of decolonization. The British government agreed to grant self-government to The Gambia, with elections held in 1962.
• The PPP, led by Jawara, won the 1962 elections, and Jawara became the country’s first prime minister. He worked to build support for full independence from Britain while navigating challenges posed by the small size and limited resources of the country.
• On February 18, 1965, The Gambia achieved independence from Britain, becoming a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and Jawara as prime minister. The country became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1970, with Jawara as its first president.

The Gambia’s Post-Independence Era (1965 CE – 1994 CE)

The Presidency of Dawda Jawara (1965 CE – 1994 CE)

• Dawda Kairaba Jawara served as president from 1970 until his ousting in 1994. His presidency was marked by relative political stability, economic challenges, and efforts to modernize the country.
• Under Jawara, The Gambia pursued a policy of non-alignment during the Cold War, maintaining good relations with both Western and African nations. Jawara also sought closer cooperation with neighboring Senegal.
• The country faced economic difficulties due to its reliance on agriculture, particularly groundnuts, which were vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices. Efforts to diversify the economy were only moderately successful.

The Gambia-Senegal Confederation (1982 CE – 1989 CE)

• In 1981, a failed coup attempt against Jawara, led by Gambian dissident Kukoi Samba Sanyang, resulted in widespread violence in Banjul. Jawara requested military assistance from Senegal, and Senegalese forces intervened to restore order.
• In the aftermath of the coup, The Gambia and Senegal formed the Senegambia Confederation in 1982, aiming to integrate their military, economies, and foreign policies. However, the confederation faced numerous challenges, including differences in governance and public resistance.
• The confederation was dissolved in 1989, and The Gambia and Senegal returned to their separate paths, though they continued to cooperate on issues of mutual interest.

The 1994 Coup and the Rise of Yahya Jammeh

• In July 1994, a group of junior military officers, led by Yahya Jammeh, staged a coup d’état, overthrowing Jawara’s government. The coup was largely bloodless, and Jammeh, a 29-year-old lieutenant, took control of the government.
• Jammeh suspended the constitution, dissolved the parliament, and declared himself the head of state. He initially promised a return to civilian rule, but his regime became increasingly authoritarian over time.

Yahya Jammeh’s Rule (1994 CE – 2017 CE)

The Jammeh Era: Authoritarianism and Human Rights Violations (1994 CE – 2017 CE)

• Jammeh ruled The Gambia for 22 years as an authoritarian leader, marked by human rights abuses, political repression, and suppression of the media. His government was accused of torture, extrajudicial killings, and intimidation of opposition figures.
• Despite his harsh rule, Jammeh won multiple presidential elections, though these were widely criticized for irregularities and lack of transparency. He claimed to have supernatural powers and pursued controversial policies, including declaring The Gambia an Islamic republic in 2015.
• Under Jammeh, The Gambia became increasingly isolated from the international community, particularly after Jammeh’s decision to withdraw the country from the Commonwealth in 2013 and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2016.

The 2016 Presidential Election and Jammeh’s Downfall

• In December 2016, Jammeh unexpectedly lost the presidential election to opposition candidate Adama Barrow, a coalition leader. Initially, Jammeh conceded defeat, but he later reversed his position and refused to step down, plunging the country into a political crisis.
• After weeks of international pressure and the threat of military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jammeh finally agreed to step down in January 2017 and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea.

The Gambia in the Modern Era (2017 CE – Present)

The Presidency of Adama Barrow (2017 CE – Present)

• Adama Barrow took office in January 2017, marking the first democratic transition of power in The Gambia’s history. His government has focused on restoring democracy, addressing human rights abuses, and rebuilding the country’s institutions.
• Barrow’s administration has rejoined the Commonwealth and the ICC and has worked to strengthen ties with international partners.
• The Barrow government established the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to investigate human rights abuses committed during Jammeh’s regime. The TRRC has collected testimonies from victims and perpetrators, with the aim of promoting national healing and justice.

Economic Challenges and Development Efforts

• Despite progress in rebuilding its democratic institutions, The Gambia faces significant economic challenges, including high unemployment, poverty, and reliance on agriculture and tourism.
• The government has focused on promoting economic diversification, improving infrastructure, and attracting foreign investment. Tourism, in particular, remains a key sector of the economy, though it has been impacted by global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Barrow’s government has also worked to improve healthcare, education, and social services, though the country remains one of the poorest in West Africa.

Political Tensions and Constitutional Reforms

• Barrow’s presidency has been marked by political tensions, particularly over his decision to remain in office for a five-year term instead of the three years he initially promised. This has led to protests and criticism from opposition groups.
• Efforts to introduce a new constitution aimed at limiting presidential terms and strengthening democratic institutions have faced setbacks, with a draft constitution failing to pass in 2020.
• As The Gambia continues to navigate its path forward, the challenges of consolidating democracy, addressing economic inequalities, and promoting reconciliation remain central to its future.