By Henry Maxwell
Senior World Affairs Analyst, Wide World News
February 28, 2026
The political climate after the coup attempts
In recent years, The Gambia has faced political turbulence, highlighted by an attempted military coup in December 2022 against President Adama Barrow’s democratically elected government. Authorities quickly described the plot as a “thwarted coup,” arresting several soldiers and a navy officer identified as the alleged ringleader, before declaring the situation “totally under control.” Although the episode produced little visible violence in the capital, Banjul, it revealed deep‑seated concerns about the professionalism of the security sector and lingering risks of military interference in politics.
Since the end of long‑time ruler Yahya Jammeh in 2017, The Gambia has been undergoing a fragile transition toward more open democracy. The Barrow administration has had to navigate both popular expectations for rapid change and systemic challenges such as incomplete constitutional reform and weak institutional oversight over the armed forces. After the 2022 attempt, the government set up an investigative panel and publicly reiterated its commitment to due process, while regional bodies like ECOWAS and local civil‑society groups urged reforms to prevent future coup‑related instability.
Despite these episodes, the country has avoided a slide into full‑blown authoritarianism or prolonged military rule, which has marked neighbouring states in West Africa. The government has also used the experience to argue for the need to “demilitarize” politics and strengthen civilian control over the armed forces, emphasizing that any relapse into military intervention would undermine the democratic gains since 2017. For many Gambians, the message is clear: the country is still politically vulnerable, but it is resisting the temptation to return to the coup‑ridden patterns of the past.
How Gambia has moved forward politically
In the aftermath of the alleged coup attempt, Gambian leaders have framed stability as a precondition for development rather than a luxury. The administration has pushed for reforms within the security sector, including greater transparency in promotions and operations, while also facing pressure from civil‑society actors to clarify the nature and scope of the 2022 plot and ensure that any security‑sector restructuring is not used to silence dissent.
Regionally, The Gambia has positioned itself as a defender of constitutional order, even as coups have shaken neighbouring countries such as Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. When a coup unfolded in Guinea‑Bissau, Banjul issued strong statements condemning the unconstitutional seizure of power and calling for an immediate restoration of democratic rule. This stance has helped Gambia project an image of a small state that is trying to uphold regional norms, even as it grapples with its own internal political fragility.
Domestically, the government has also focused on completing the unfinished business of the post‑Jammeh transition, including the adoption of a new constitution and the strengthening of independent institutions. Critics argue that progress on these reforms has been slow and that the security‑sector coup‑plot episode has exposed how much still depends on the personal authority of President Barrow. Nonetheless, the mere fact that the 2022 attempt was detected, contained and publicly addressed—rather than accepted as a fait accompli—suggests that democratic habits are beginning to take root.
Gambia’s rise as a major tourist destination
Parallel to its political evolution, The Gambia has reinforced its reputation as one of West Africa’s most attractive tourist destinations. With a long Atlantic coastline, warm climate, and relatively stable English‑speaking environment, the country has long drawn visitors from Europe, North America and the African diaspora looking for affordable yet high‑quality beach holidays. In recent years, tourist arrivals have gradually recovered toward pre‑pandemic levels, with authorities reporting well over 200,000 visitors in recent seasons and growing demand for longer stays and more diverse experiences.
The government has actively promoted tourism as a central pillar of economic development, recognizing that the sector generates jobs, foreign exchange and tax revenue while supporting small businesses in coastal and rural areas. Large‑scale hospitality projects, such as a planned $200 million Temple Tree Hospitality Development announced in early 2026, aim to expand resort capacity, modernize hotels and infrastructure, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the hospitality supply chain. Such investments signal that Gambia is no longer just a low‑cost destination, but a country aiming to compete for higher‑spending, longer‑stay travellers.
Beyond sun and sand, The Gambia is consciously diversifying its tourism offer. With support from initiatives such as the World Bank‑funded Tourism Diversification and Resilience Project (TDRP), the country is developing eco‑tourism, birdwatching circuits, river‑based travel along the navigable River Gambia, and heritage tourism linked to sites like Kunta Kinteh Island, a UNESCO World Heritage–related location that attracts diaspora visitors tracing the history of the transatlantic slave trade. These strategies aim to spread tourism benefits beyond the main coastal strip and reduce over‑reliance on a narrow seasonal market.
Linking stability and tourism growth
One of the key reasons Gambia has been able to advance as a tourist hotspot is the perception—however fragile—of relative political stability compared to some of its neighbours. While the 2022 coup attempt and the broader security‑sector debate remind visitors that risks exist, the swift official response and the absence of prolonged violence have helped reassure international tour operators and airlines that The Gambia remains a viable destination. Authorities and private‑sector actors continue to highlight the country’s reputation for hospitality and safety, even as they quietly invest in improved security arrangements around key tourist areas.
In parallel, the government has been modernizing its tourism marketing. A new national tourism strategy and refreshed brand identity emphasize not only beaches but also eco‑tourism, heritage, adventure and river‑based experiences. Digital campaigns, redesigned websites and targeted outreach to emerging markets in Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as niche segments such as cruise tourism and business‑related (“MICE”) travel, are helping Gambia stand out in a crowded regional field.
For many Gambians, especially in the tourism‑dependent regions, this push is a welcome sign that the country can leverage its natural and cultural assets rather than remaining trapped in cycles of political upheaval. Communities linked to resorts, fishing‑tourism boats, craft markets and cultural performances see tourism not only as a source of income but also as a way to connect with the outside world and build a more outward‑facing economy.
Challenges and the road ahead
Despite these advances, Gambia’s future as both a stable democracy and a leading tourist destination is not guaranteed. The security‑sector coup‑plot episode underlines the fact that democratic institutions remain incomplete, and any renewed crisis could scare visitors and deter investment. At the same time, rapid tourism growth brings its own pressures, including environmental degradation, rising land prices and potential over‑dependence on a volatile global travel market.
To sustain its positive trajectory, The Gambia will need to balance several priorities: completing constitutional and security‑sector reforms, broadening political participation, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach more than just coastal elites. If the country manages to turn the memory of recent coup attempts into a catalyst for stronger institutions and more inclusive growth, The Gambia could become a model of how a small, once‑fragile state can stabilize its politics while building a vibrant, diversified tourism economy.
