The National Reconciliation Party is a political party in The Gambia. It was founded in 1996 and is led by its founder Hamat Bah.

Previously an opposition party, it has now been part of a coalition government headed by President Adama Barrow since 2017.

History

The National Reconciliation Party was founded in 1996 by Hamat Bah as part of his intention to run for the presidency. He ultimately finished third in the presidential election, which was won by Yahya Jammeh. The party remained in opposition to him for the next twenty years.

The NRP was part of Coalition 2016, which fielded activist Adama Barrow as their candidate and successfully denied Jammeh a fifth term in that year’s presidential election. The party has since been a key member of Barrow’s government, with Bah serving as Minister of Tourism and Culture.^[1]

Notable members

• Hamat Bah, Leader of the NRP (1996–present), NAM (1997–2005), Minister of Tourism and Culture (2017–present)
• Modou Bamba Gaye, NAM (2015–2017)
• Samba Jallow, NAM (2012–present), National Assembly Minority Leader (2012–present)

Electoral history

Presidential elections

Election	Candidate	Votes	%	Result
1996	Hamat Bah	21,759	5.52%	Lost N
2001		35,671	7.78%	Lost N
2006[lower-alpha 1]	Halifa Sallah	23,473	5.98%	Lost N
2011	Hamat Bah	73,060	11.11%	Lost N
2016[lower-alpha 2]	Adama Barrow	227,708	43.29%	Won Y

1. ↑ Supported PDOIS candidate.
2. ↑ Supported Adama Barrow as independent candidate for Coalition 2016.

National Assembly elections

Election	Leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Government
1997	Hamat Bah	6,639	2.16%	2 / 49	New	4th	Opposition
2002		11,914	20.90%	1 / 53	1	3rd	Opposition
2007		15,783	5.99%	0 / 53	1	4th	Extra-parliamentary
2012		14,606	9.43%	1 / 53	1	2nd	Opposition
2017		23,755	6.26%	5 / 53	4	4th	Coalition (UDP-NRP-PPP)
2022		14,153	2.87%	4 / 53	1	6th	Coalition (NPP-NRP-APRC)

References