United Party (The Gambia)
Encyclopedia
The United Party was a political party
in the Gambia
. The party was founded during the colonial period and worked political in the then colony of Bathurst
(the present capital of The Gambia, Banjul). The party drew support mainly from Roman Catholics. In Banjul it had support mainly amongst the Wolof
s, in the rural areas mainly amongst Fula
s. The party was led by P. S. Njie
.
In 1963, the People's Progressive Party
and DCA invited UP to join the government. After two years, the party left the government. Its position as an opposition party had declined, though. In 1970, the party suffered a heavy blow as its leader joined the PPP.
During the 1970s and 1980s the party strongly opposed a union with Senegal
.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Gambia
The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
. The party was founded during the colonial period and worked political in the then colony of Bathurst
Banjul
-Transport:Ferries sail from Banjul to Barra. The city is served by the Banjul International Airport. Banjul is on the Trans–West African Coastal Highway connecting it to Dakar and Bissau, and will eventually provide a paved highway link to 11 other nations of ECOWAS.Banjul International Airport...
(the present capital of The Gambia, Banjul). The party drew support mainly from Roman Catholics. In Banjul it had support mainly amongst the Wolof
Wolof people
The Wolof are an ethnic group found in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania.In Senegal, the Wolof form an ethnic plurality with about 43.3% of the population are Wolofs...
s, in the rural areas mainly amongst Fula
Fula people
Fula people or Fulani or Fulbe are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa, but found also in Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa...
s. The party was led by P. S. Njie
Pierre Sarr N'Jie
Pierre Sarr N'Jie was Chief Minister of The Gambia from March 1961 to 12 June 1962. Pierre Sarr N'Jie was head of the United Party ....
.
In 1963, the People's Progressive Party
People's Progressive Party (The Gambia)
The People's Progressive Party is a moderate centre-left political party in The Gambia. It was the dominant ruling party from 1965 with president Dawda Jawara. He was elected for a sixth term of office in 1992, but was overthrown in a coup by young army officers in 1994...
and DCA invited UP to join the government. After two years, the party left the government. Its position as an opposition party had declined, though. In 1970, the party suffered a heavy blow as its leader joined the PPP.
During the 1970s and 1980s the party strongly opposed a union with Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
.
Election results
| Year | % of votes | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 8 | 33.37% |
| 1971 | 4 | 15.69% |
| 1977 | 2 | |
| 1982 | 0 | 2.88% |
| 1987 | 0 | |
| 1992 | 0 | 1.43% |