The Gambia opened a new chapter in her history after 22 years of authoritarian rule under former dictator Yahya Jammeh, heralding the promise of a ‘New Gambia.’ The country is at a critical juncture in its transition from Jammeh’s autocratic rule to a fully-fledged democracy. The ambitious transitional processes include the Truth Reparations and Reconciliation Commission to create an official record of past abuses and crimes, the Constitutional Review Commission to draft a new Constitution, and the permanent National Human Rights Commission to build a human rights culture. The Gambia in transition: Towards a new constitutional order is a diverse collection of timely, rigorous, and insightful essays on human rights, constitutional reform, rule of law and democratic governance. It serves as an important reference for academics, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, human rights defenders, learners, and the public at large.

The Gambia opened a new chapter in her history after 22 years of authoritarian rule under former dictator Yahya Jammeh, heralding the promise of a 'New Gambia.' The country is at a critical juncture in its transition from Jammeh's autocratic rule to a fully-fledged democracy. The ambitious transitional processes include the Truth Reparations and Reconciliation Commission to create an official record of past abuses and crimes, the Constitutional Review Commission to draft a new Constitution, and the permanent National Human Rights Commission to build a human rights culture. The Gambia in transition: Towards a new constitutional order is a diverse collection of timely, rigorous, and insightful essays on human rights, constitutional reform, rule of law and democratic governance. It serves as an important reference for academics, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, human rights defenders, learners, and the public at large."

This paper assesses the political transmutations from "Military to Civilian Leadership" of Jerry Rawlings in Ghana and The Gambia under Yahya Jammeh. It examines why Ghana seemed to have "successfully" transitioned to a more democratic dispensation under Rawlings and why The Gambia, under Jammeh, failed to do so. It addresses three key research questions: firstly, how and why did Ghana successfully "transition" to a leading democracy in the continent under the watch of Jerry Rawlings? Secondly, how and why did The Gambia "fail" in its transition efforts to move toward more democratic norms under President Yahya Jammeh? Finally, what accounts for the different pathologies and outcomes in the transition programs of Rawlings's in Ghana and Jammeh's Gambia? The basic argument the paper makes is that the varying political and economic outcomes in The Gambia and Ghana are attributable to the levels of regime/ leadership commitment to democracy and perhaps, more importantly, to neo-liberal reform in both countries.

This book provides an interesting overview of the African political environment and a specific focus on human rights in the Gambia. The author discusses the democratic system of governance across the African continent; respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; press freedom; respect for the rule of law and authority of the law; good governance and responsible management of public resources.

Analyzing nineteen cases, this title offers practical perspective on the implications of constitution-making procedure, and explores emerging international legal norms.