The Gambia (1965–1970)

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Gambia
1965–1970
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Progression, Peace, Progress"
Anthem: For The Gambia Our Homeland
Location of the Gambia (red) in Western Africa
Capital	Bathurst
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Queen
• 1965–1970	Elizabeth II
Governor-General
• 1965–1966	Sir John Paul
• 1966–1970	Sir Farimang Singhateh
Prime Minister
• 1965–1970	Sir Dawda Jawara
Historical era	Cold War
• Independence	18 February 1965
• Republic	24 April 1970
Currency	Gambian Pound (from 1966)
Preceded by Succeeded by Gambia Colony and Protectorate The Gambia

Part of a series on the
History of the Gambia
Chronological
Senegambian stone circles Senegambia Mali Empire Kaabu Saloum Niumi Niani Wuli Curonian colonisation Albreda Gambia Colony and Protectorate Gambia Independence Act 1964 Coups d'état (1981 (unsuccessful) · 1994 · 2014 (unsuccessful) · 2022 (unsuccessful)) Senegambia Confederation 2016–2017 Gambian constitutional crisis ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia
Gambia portal
v t e

Between 1965 and 1970, the Gambia was an independent sovereign state that shared its head of state with the United Kingdom and other states headed by Queen Elizabeth II. It was a predecessor to the modern-day republic of The Gambia.

The Gambia was given independence from Britain in 1965 under the Gambia Independence Act 1964, which unified the British Crown Colony and Protectorate of the Gambia into an independent sovereign state. The British monarch, Elizabeth II, remained head of state of The Gambia, which shared its Sovereign with other Commonwealth realms. The Queen's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of the Gambia. The Governors-General who held office in The Gambia were:

1. Sir John Warburton Paul (18 February 1965 – 9 February 1966)
2. Sir Farimang Mamadi Singateh (9 February 1966 – 24 April 1970)

After two referendums on the issue, the monarchy was abolished on 24 April 1970, when The Gambia became a republic within the Commonwealth. The first referendum in 1965, with 65.85% in favour and 34.15% against, failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass. The second in 1970 with 70.45% percent of the Gambian people voting in favour of a republic and 29.55% against, was successful. The Gambia adopted a new constitution in 1970 which abolished the monarchy. Sir Dawda Jawara, the prime minister (and head of government) from 1965, became the first President of the Gambia.

Queen Elizabeth II did not visit the Gambia between 1965 and 1970. Her last visit was between 3–5 December 1961.

• "REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA BILL [Lords] (Hansard, 26 May 1970)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 26 May 1970. Retrieved 26 January 2017.

13°30′00″N 15°30′00″W / 13.5000°N 15.5000°W / 13.5000; -15.5000