Most people remember the 2016 showdown. It was a bizarre, tense moment where a real estate developer who once worked as a security guard in London somehow unseated one of Africa's most eccentric dictators.
Fast forward to January 2026. President Adama Barrow is no longer the "accidental president" or the underdog. He is a seasoned—and controversial—political survivor. He’s currently steering The Gambia toward a high-stakes election scheduled for December 5, 2026, and the honeymoon phase of the "New Gambia" has long since evaporated.
The story of Barrow isn't just about a transition from autocracy. It’s about the messy, sometimes frustrating reality of building a democracy in a country that hadn't seen a peaceful power transfer in over two decades.
The Adama Barrow Transformation: From Guard to Governance
Barrow wasn't supposed to be here. Honestly, he was a compromise candidate. Back in 2016, the United Democratic Party (UDP) needed someone who wouldn't scare off the other coalition members. Barrow was the quiet guy, the treasurer.
He spent years in the UK, reportedly working at an Argos in North London while studying real estate. That’s a detail that still resonates with the Gambian diaspora. It made him feel like one of them. But the man who returned to Banjul and eventually took the oath of office in a Gambian embassy in Senegal (because Jammeh wouldn't leave) is very different from the man running the State House today.
You’ve probably heard the criticism: he promised to serve only three years as a transition leader and then stay out of the next race. He didn't. He stayed for five, won a second term in 2021 with 53% of the vote, and is now eyeing a third. For his supporters, it’s about stability. For his detractors, it feels like a betrayal of the very reforms he was elected to spearhead.
Infrastructure vs. The Cost of Living
If you drive through the Greater Banjul Area today, you’ll see his legacy in concrete. Barrow has obsessed over roads. He’s recently been inspecting major projects under the "Yiriwa" National Development Plan (2023–2027), and he’s not shy about touting them.
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The government has successfully connected several rural communities to the national electricity grid for the first time. That’s a massive deal for people who spent generations in the dark.
But there’s a flip side.
- Inflation is biting hard. The price of rice and fuel is a constant headache for the average family in Serrekunda.
- Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leading to the "backway" phenomenon—thousands of young Gambians risking their lives on boats to reach Europe. Just this month, a tragic boat capsizing left at least 31 people dead.
- Corruption allegations continue to dog the administration, with critics arguing that the "system" hasn't changed as much as the faces at the top.
What Really Happened With the Constitutional Reform?
This is where things get sticky. One of the biggest promises of the post-Jammeh era was a new constitution. The idea was simple: prevent anyone from ever holding onto power for 22 years again.
The Draft Constitution of 2020 included a two-term limit. It failed in the National Assembly. Why? Because Barrow’s allies weren't happy that his first term would count toward that limit.
As we sit here in 2026, the country is still governed by the 1997 Constitution—the same one Jammeh "butchered" to suit his needs. There is a renewed debate about bringing a new draft to the floor before the December election, but the clock is ticking. Many Gambians feel like they’ve been sold a dream of reform that is being held hostage by political expediency.
The Shadow of Yahya Jammeh
You can't talk about President Adama Barrow without talking about the man he replaced. Yahya Jammeh is still in Equatorial Guinea, but his shadow is long.
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Barrow has made some "interesting" alliances lately. To win in 2021, his National People’s Party (NPP) formed a coalition with Jammeh's old party, the APRC. It was a move that shocked human rights activists. How can you promise justice for Jammeh’s victims while hopping into bed with his political machine?
The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) laid out the horrors of the past—torture, disappearances, and "death squads." Barrow’s government has accepted most of the recommendations, but the actual prosecutions have been slow. There’s a persistent fear that justice is being traded for votes.
The 2026 Election: The Road Ahead
The December 5 election is going to be a litmus test. Barrow is no longer running against a ghost; he’s running against his own record.
His main rival remains Ousainou Darboe of the UDP, his former mentor and vice president. It’s a bitter rivalry. Darboe has consistently challenged Barrow's legitimacy, while Barrow points to the NPP’s recent by-election victories in Foni and Kiang as proof that he still has the mandate of the people.
International partners like Türkiye and the EU are watching closely. Türkiye recently stepped up its defense cooperation, handing over armored personnel carriers and investing in "medical tourism" projects. But the West is increasingly concerned about "reform fatigue."
The Big Questions for 2026:
- Will the new constitution actually pass before the vote?
- Can the government curb the migration crisis that is draining the country of its youth?
- Will the petroleum sector finally see a commercial discovery under the newly appointed DG, Cany Jobe?
Actionable Insights for Following Gambian Politics
If you're trying to keep a pulse on what’s actually happening in The Gambia this year, don't just look at official press releases.
- Watch the National Assembly: This is where the real drama happens. The fight over the new constitution will define the legal landscape for the 2026 vote.
- Follow local outlets: Sources like The Point and The Standard offer the most granular detail on local sentiment.
- Monitor the OIC commitments: As the current chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, The Gambia is punching above its weight in global diplomacy, particularly regarding the Rohingya and Palestinian issues. This gives Barrow significant "prestige capital" he uses at home.
The reality of President Adama Barrow is that he is neither the savior some hoped for in 2017 nor the villain his harshest critics describe. He is a pragmatic politician navigating a fragile state. Whether that pragmatism leads to a lasting democracy or just another "strongman" legacy will be decided on the streets and at the ballot boxes this December.
For anyone looking to invest or engage with The Gambia, the focus should be on the upcoming regulatory reforms in the energy sector and the implementation of the "Yiriwa" plan. These are the tangible metrics that will determine if the country moves forward or stays stuck in a cycle of transition.