Adama Barrow

Adama Barrow
Name	Adama Barrow
Office	President of the Gambia
Term start	19 January 2017
Predecessor	Yahya Jammeh
Birth date	16 February 1965
Birth place	Mankamang Kunda, Upper River Division, The Gambia
Party	National People's Party (2019–present)
Otherparty	United Democratic Party (2016–2019)
Spouse	Fatoumatia Bah
Alma mater	University of The Gambia

Adama Barrow is a Gambian politician and real estate developer who has served as the third President of the Gambia since 2017. His election victory in 2016 over long-time incumbent Yahya Jammeh marked the first democratic transition of power in the country since independence from the United Kingdom. Barrow's presidency began amid a major constitutional crisis requiring military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States to enforce the election result. His administration has focused on rebuilding democratic institutions, improving relations with the European Union and United States, and addressing human rights abuses from the previous era.

Early life and education

He was born in the village of Mankamang Kunda in the Upper River Division and attended Koba Kunda Primary School before moving to the capital, Banjul, for his secondary education at Crab Island Secondary School. Barrow later traveled to the United Kingdom, where he studied real estate and worked in London as a security guard at the Argos retail chain. Upon returning to The Gambia, he furthered his education at the University of The Gambia, earning a diploma. His early professional life was shaped by his experiences abroad and his subsequent immersion in the Gambian business community.

Business career

Before entering politics, he established himself as a successful property developer and businessman. He founded the Majum Real Estate company, which became one of the most prominent real estate firms in the country, involved in property sales and land development. His business acumen and growing financial standing provided a platform for his later political engagement, connecting him with a network of professionals and community leaders. This commercial success distinguished him from many traditional political figures in The Gambia and contributed to his public profile as a self-made entrepreneur.

Political career

His political ascent began in 2016 when he was selected as the presidential candidate for a coalition of opposition parties, including the United Democratic Party, following a primary election. The coalition, united under the banner of defeating Yahya Jammeh, successfully rallied behind his candidacy. The subsequent 2016 Gambian presidential election resulted in a surprise victory, which Jammeh initially conceded before controversially rejecting the results, triggering an international crisis. Barrow was sworn in at the Gambian embassy in Dakar in neighboring Senegal on 19 January 2017, as ECOWAS forces prepared to intervene.

Presidency

His administration took office following the peaceful resolution of the crisis and the exile of Yahya Jammeh to Equatorial Guinea. Key early actions included rejoining the Commonwealth of Nations and the International Criminal Court, reversing Jammeh's withdrawals, and launching the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission to investigate past atrocities. His government has faced challenges including economic difficulties, corruption allegations, and tensions within the original coalition, leading him to form his own party, the National People's Party. He won re-election in the 2021 Gambian presidential election, defeating opponents like Ousainou Darboe of the UDP.

Personal life

He is married to Fatoumatta Bah, who serves as the First Lady of the Gambia, and the couple has two children. A practicing Muslim, he maintains a relatively low-profile personal style compared to his predecessor. His interests include football, and he is known to be a supporter of the English national team and Arsenal F.C.. He maintains strong familial ties to his home region and is fluent in several local languages including Mandinka, Wolof, and Fula.

Awards and recognition

His leadership during The Gambia's democratic transition has been acknowledged by several international bodies. He received the prestigious African Political Leader of the Year award in 2017 from the African Leadership Magazine. In 2022, the University of The Gambia conferred upon him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his service to the nation. His government's efforts in promoting human rights and democratic governance have also been noted by organizations like the African Union and the United Nations Development Programme.

Category:Presidents of the Gambia Category:1965 births Category:Living people