Official name

Republic of The Gambia

Form of state

Unitary republic

Legal system

Based on English common law; some aspects of traditional law and sharia (Islamic law) also apply, although sharia does not apply to non-Muslims without their consent

National legislature

National Assembly, installed in February 2007; 53 members, 48 elected by universal suffrage, five nominated by the president; all serve a five-year term

National elections

September 2006 (presidential) and January 2007 (legislative); next elections due in the fourth quarter of 2011 (presidential) and the first quarter of 2012 (legislative)

Head of state

President, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term; no term limit

National government

The president and cabinet; most recent cabinet reshuffle was in July 2010

Main political parties

The Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), the ruling party, which has 47 seats in parliament; the People's Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS); the National Democratic Action Movement (NDAM); the United Democratic Party (UDP); the National Reconciliation Party (NRP); The Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP); and The Gambia Moral Congress

President, commander in chief of the armed forces & minister of defence, agriculture & petroleum: Yahya Jammeh

Vice-president & minister for women's affairs: Isatou Njie Saidy

Key ministers

Agriculture: Khalifa Kambi

Basic & secondary education: Fatou Lamin-Faye

Culture & tourism: Fatou Jobe-Njie

Economic planning & industrial development: Mambury Njie

Energy: Ousman Jammeh

Finance: Abdou Kolley

Fisheries, water resources & National Assembly matters: Lamin Kaba Bajo

Foreign affairs & international cooperation: Mamadou Tangara

Forestry & the environment: Jato Sillah

Health & social welfare: Vacant

Information & communication infrastructure: Alhaji Abdoulie Cham

Interior & NGO affairs: Ousman Sonko

Justice & attorney-general: Edward Gomez

Local government & lands: Pierre Tamba

Secretary-general & head of civil service: Njogou Lamin Bah

Trade, employment & regional integration: Yusupha Kah

Youth & sports: Sheriff Gomez

Central Bank governor

Momodou Bamba Saho