That is sad for a couple of reasons. First, the chief reason to come to West Africa is the people. Primarily Muslim, most Gambians belong to the Mandinka, Wolof, or Fula tribes and live in a weird, compelling mix of the old and the new. Women, for instance, hold position of power. Two of the three local magistrates in Banjul are women, according to the judicial clerk who pulled me in for an impromptu tour.
Ethnic intermarriage is common as well.
Except for pickpockets and some areas of Banjul, most tourists exist in a zone of relative safety too. Yes, there was a military coup in 1994. Further, the ordinary side of life is painfully easy to find. Outside of the hotels, the country remains one big village. Outdoor markets flourish everywhere.