The Gambia country profile

Gambia is one of the smallest countries in Africa, unlike neighboring countries in West Africa, has been stable for a long time since independence.

President Yahya Jammeh ruled the country with Tekken after preserving power in the bloodless coup in 1994. His 22-year rule ended in 2016 when he was defeated by the main opposition candidate Adama Barrow's election results. Jammeh left the threat of mediation and armed intervention in neighboring countries

Stability has not changed to prosperity. The Gambia River is located in the central part of the country, but the land that can be cultivated is only one sixth of the land, poor soil quality brings the advantage of crops - peanuts

Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange, as is the money sent by Gambia living abroad. Most tourists are fascinated by a resort occupying the Atlantic coast.

Mr. Barrow, a real estate developer, completed Yahya Jammeh's 22-year dictatorship over 45% of the votes.

Mr. Burrow promised to revive the country's economy as one of the unified Democrats during the election campaign.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Adama Barrow took office as president in 2017, will finish 22 years of former prime minister Yahya Jammeh and will propose a new era to respect the freedom of the media.

1889 - The agreement between Britain and France determined the borders of Gambia and, after five years, became British protectorate until independence in 1965

1994 - Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh took over the country with a coup. He was elected President two years later and the three major parties were banned from voting. He kept victorious in three elections and defeated several coup attempts

2013 - President Jam announced that Gambia withdrew from the Commonwealth and called it a "new colonial system." Critics have stated that this movement is due to the widespread criticism of the government's human rights abuses by the international community.

2015 - President Jam announces that the country is an Islamic republic to break the "colonial heritage"

2016 - President Jaime's 22-year governance ended with Adder Bauro's election failure. Jame chooses to exile in Equatorial Guinea

According to the guardian, Jamme declared that Gambia is "an Islamic republic that complies with the religious identity of the country." In the military coup in 1994, the president insisted, "Since Muslims dominate the majority, Gambia can not inherit the colonial heritage." Gambia acquired independence from British rule in 1965, and Jammeh withdrew the small country from the Commonwealth in 2013. The long-term president did not mention what the change in status in daily life of Gambia means, but according to Al Jazeera, non-Muslims freely practice their religious beliefs and women conservative We had to observe the dress code norms. "We will be Muslim countries that respects the rights of all citizens and non-citizens," Jammeh said.

Article 25 of the Constitution protects the rights of citizens participating in all religious activities. In December 2015, Reuters reported that Gambia was declared an Islamic state by the president of the country, Yahya Jammeh. Muslim is being practiced by 95% of the country's population. Most Muslims in Gambia obey Sunni laws and traditions, and numerous Muslims follow the Ahmadiyan tradition. In fact, all commercial life in Gambia is stagnant during major Muslim festivals, including Eid al-Ada and Eid Al-Fit. Most Muslims in Gambia follow Mariki law school. In addition, Gambia has a community of Shiite Muslims, mainly from Lebanon and its Arabs immigrants.

Gambia is the smallest country in the continent of Africa, but its culture is a product of various influences. The border is a contour of the narrow belt on both sides of the Gambia River, which is an area of ​​water that plays an important role in the destiny of the country and is known as the "river" locally. Without the natural walls, Gambia is the majority of the citizens throughout West Africa, especially the home of Senegal. Since the Gambia River can reach deep into the mainland, Europeans occupy an important position in the history of Gambia. Due to geographical features, this area was one of the most useful places in slave trade between the 15th and 17th centuries. (This trade-up strategy was also created after being banned in the 19th century.) A part of this history has gained popularity with Alex Haley's books and the TV series Roots.