Yahya Jammeh

Jammeh led a bloodless military coup that overthrew President Dawda Jawara. He established the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council and became head of state at age 29.

Jammeh declared Gambia an Islamic republic, citing the country's Muslim majority. The move was criticized as a distraction from human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.

Jammeh lost the presidential election to Adama Barrow but initially refused to step down. His refusal triggered a regional crisis and ECOWAS military intervention.

Jammeh was forced into exile in Equatorial Guinea after ECOWAS troops entered Gambia. His departure ended 22 years of authoritarian rule and allowed Barrow to assume the presidency.