Jawara, Dawda Kairaba (1924– )

Gambian politician, prime minister 1965–70 and president 1970–94. After entering politics in 1960 he progressed rapidly, becoming minister of education and then premier in 1962. Following full independence within the Commonwealth in 1965 he became prime minister and, with the adoption of republican status in 1970, he assumed the presidency. An abortive coup against him in 1981 was thwarted by Senegalese troops bringing the two countries closer together into the Senegambia confederation of 1982–89. He lost power in 1994 following a military coup.

Jawara had been re-elected in 1972, 1977, 1982, and 1987, but the coup in July 1994, staged by junior army officers, established a military council to oversee the activities of the civilian government. Jawara fled the country and Yahya Jammeh was named as his replacement.