Gambia: In search of the “perfect solution” — President Jammeh or British leadership?
Gambia is the only African country I’ve been to so far. That’s why it interests me the most when looking at the colonization of the different African states. Gambia was “discovered” by the Portuguese in the early 15th century. However, it later became a British colony (after heaps of disputes and fights with the French). Until 1965, Gambia had the Union Jack in its official flag which showed the affiliation to Britain.
In 1965, Gambia achieved its independence from the British Empire but at the same time joined the Commonwealth. In 2013, the government of Gambia stated that they leave the Commonwealth without giving reasons for it. But the relationship between Great Britain and Gambia declined in recent years. For over two decades, Yahya Jammeh is the president of Gambia. His attitude doesn’t fit to Britain. He describes himself as a dictator and is highly criticised by organisations like Amnesty International for neglecting human rights. Yahya Jammeh threats homosexual people and expresses his dislike against “white leaders” in public. Having in mind this quick overview of Jammeh, he doesn’t seem to be an appropriate leader for a country at all.
Looking at Gambia’s history, I asked myself if this country would be better off if it was still under the leadership of Britain even this also includes all the possible negative aspects of being a colony. Of course, it is important for every country to develop its own identity and culture. But in the present circumstances: Is there a chance that Gambia in retrospect should have rather stuck to the British Empire instead of leaving it? What would be different today if Gambia didn’t gain its independence like the fourteen British Overseas Territories?
