How Gambia Became Independent

In his book “Kairaba,” Jawara comes out as a pragmatist during the push for Independence.

By Cherno Baba Jallow

With countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana, Guinea gaining autonomy from colonial rule in the 1950s, demands for Independence in Africa began to take on a more widespread, ardent tone. By 1960 and the year after, all but Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and The Gambia had gotten full Independence in the West African sub-region. Countries arrived at different Independence dates partly because of the different constitutional routes taken and partly because of the personalities and events that combined to either delay or hasten the collapse of colonial rule.

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