Gambian President Elected for 4th Term

Dawda Jawara, president of Gambia since British colonial rule ended in 1965, was elected president for the fourth time by a wide majority, the Interior Ministry announced Thursday.

With more than half the constituencies reporting, Jawara received more than 61% of the votes cast in Wednesday’s general elections, it said.

His strongest rival, Sherif Mustapha Dibba, leader of the National Convention Party, received 25%. A third candidate, Assan Musa Camara of the Gambia People’s Party, polled about 14 %.

According to the preliminary results, Jawara’s ruling Progressive People’s Party won at least 20 of the 36 seats in Parliament. The National Convention Party won one seat, and the results in 15 constituencies were still to be declared.