The unpredictability of the Gambian political scene was highlighted again in recent months, with an increasing number of reports that the president wants to turn The Gambia into a monarchy, with himself as king. For some time traditional leaders around the country, particularly chiefs, have been calling for a change in Mr Jammeh's title to king. Little attention was paid until the president recently criticised the holding of elections, pointing to the violence surrounding recent polls in Guinea (although, in fairness, there has been no report that he has expressed a preference for a move to a monarchy). An opposition leader, Halifah Sallah, was spooked enough to point out in an interview with a local newspaper, Foroyaa, that, under the constitution, the National Assembly and the president do not have the power to move the country from a republic to a monarchy. The likelihood is that Mr Jammeh will continue with the pretence of a democratic republic in The Gambia and go through the motions of holding elections, as it avoids confrontation with some donors who favour giving aid to countries that hold elections. Reports that the president simply feels that it is time to add another title to his long list, which comprises Excellency, Sheikh, Professor, Alhaji and Dr, could not be confirmed at the time of going to press.