The Gambia (1965–1970)

The Gambia
1965–1970
Flag Coat of arms
Motto "Progression, Peace, Progress"
Anthem For The Gambia Our Homeland
Location of the Gambia (dark red) in Western Africa.
Capital		Banjul
Government		Constitutional monarchy
Queen
•	1965–1970	Elizabeth II
Governor-General
•	1965–1966	Sir John Paul
•	1966–1970	Sir Farimang Mamadi Singateh
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

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.

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. Governors-general who held office in the Gambia were:

After two referenda 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. Dawda Jawara, the prime minister (and head of government) from 1965, became the first President of the Gambia.