In a key test of The Gambia's transition to democracy, President Adama Barrow is hoping to win a second term in elections on Saturday.
Here is a timeline of the tiny West African country since he was first elected in 2016.
- 2016: Jammeh rejects vote -
Barrow beats longtime dictator Yahya Jammeh -- who had ruled the country with an iron fist since a bloodless coup in 1994 -- by less than 20,000 votes in an election on December 1, 2016.
Just over a week later Jammeh rejects the result and demands a new vote. Thousands of Gambians flee the country fearing violence.
- 2017: Military intervention -
Neighbouring Senegal grants Barrow -- who heads a wide coalition -- protection on January 15 and four days later he is sworn in as president at the Gambian embassy in Dakar.
With troops from the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ready to force Jammeh out, he finally agrees to go into exile in Equatorial Guinea on January 21 after six weeks of crisis.
- Barrow in power -
On January 26, Barrow arrives back in the capital Banjul to a jubilant welcome to begin the nation's first democratic transfer of power.
In April, the former opposition win the legislative elections.
In December the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) is set up to investigate crimes committed under Jammeh.
His regime is accused of using death squads, arbitrary arrests and of torturing and disappearing his opponents.
- 2018: Back in Commonwealth -
In February 2018, the former British colony rejoins the Commonwealth five years after Jammeh pulled out branding it a "neo-colonial institution".
The first TRRC hearings begin in early 2019.
On January 21, 2019, Barrow and his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall -- his protector during the post-election crisis -- open the Senegambia bridge linking the two countries and giving Senegal fast access to its restive Casamance province, which is cut off from much of the rest of the country by The Gambia.
- 2019: Anti-Barrow protests -
In September 2019, Barrow's old party the UDP and another that was part of his coalition demand that he honour his promise to step down after three years.
However, others are happy for him to finish his five-year mandate.
The crisis sparks street protests in December 2019 and January 2020, with dozens calling for him to go arrested.
The authorities -- who banned the movement behind the protests -- contest a claim by a hospital official that three people died in the demonstrations.
- 2020: Constitutional reform rejected -
In September, parliament rejects a new constitution that would stop Barrow running for a third term if he was re-elected, his supporters helping to vote it down.
- 2021: Barrow-Jammeh alliance -
In early 2021, Barrow launches his own party, the National People's Party (NPP).
On September 5, the NPP form an electoral alliance with Jammeh's party, casting doubt on Barrow's will to pursue the former dictator for human rights violations.
But Jammeh -- who retains significant support -- says that decision was taken without his knowledge.
On November 12, the six main candidates in the presidential election sign a pledge to respect a peaceful and democratic vote.
- Commission recommends charges -
On November 25, the truth commission recommends the prosecution a list of officials responsible for crimes committed under Jammeh.
It does not name the former strongman specifically but victims and human rights groups are adamant "Jammeh was at the top of that list".
Barrow has six months to implement its recommendations.
