This dyad belongs to the conflict Gambia: Government

Summary of conflict Gambia: Government

In 1981, Gambia experienced a brief armed conflict as the left-wing NRC (National Revolutionary Council) launched a coup attempt, seeking to overthrow the government of President Dawda Jawara. Following intervention by Senegalese troops, the rebels were defeated within a few days.

Economic crisis and a leftist coup attempt in 1981

Following independence in 1965, Gambia saw fifteen years of general stability as a multi-party democracy led by President Dawda Jawara. However, due to a weakening economy and allegations of corruption against leading politicians, discontent began to grow. In July 1981, a coup attempt was launched by the left-wing NRC (National Revolutionary Council), initially with strong popular support.

The coup attempt was launched in the night between 29 and 30 July 1981, at a time when President Jawara was traveling to attend the British royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The coup makers consisted of members of the Gambia Socialist Revolutionary Party (GSRP) and elements of the Field Force, a paramilitary group that constituted Gambia's security forces. The rebels were led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, who had joined the GSRP a few years earlier and had failed to gain power through democratic elections. During the first day of the coup, the NRC managed to seize control of the Radio Gambia broadcasting station, the airport, and much of the capital Banjul. They issued a statement denouncing Jawara's government and announcing the establishment of a Marxist-Leninist state, and accused the government of "corruption, tribalism and economic mismanagement." NRC also took a number of hostages, including President Jawara's wife Chilel Jawara and several of his children. A team of British special forces from the Special Air Service was deployed from the United Kingdom with the task of freeing President Jawara's family.

Initially, the coup makers had strong popular support; however, this changed after they freed prisoners held in Banjul's jail, precipitating widespread looting and violence in the capital. Meanwhile, President Jawara denied that he had been ousted and called on Gambia's neighbor Senegal for support against the rebels. An initial contingent of some 400 Senegalese soldiers arrived on 31 July, with a total of 2700 deployed by 6 August. The Senegalese forces managed to push the NRC fighters back, until they only held one barrack which was captured on 6 August. By then, most of the rebels had been killed or captured. Several hundred people were killed before the coup attempt was crushed, and the capital Banjul had seen widespread destruction of property and goods. The coup leader Sanyang managed to escape and eventually sought refuge in Libya.

Following the defeat of the NRC, Gambia and Senegal established closer links, entering into a confederation which lasted until 1989. Dawda Jawara remained president until he was deposed in another, though bloodless, coup in 1994.