1920-1970 - Independence
Some Gambians charged that Colonialism was a major set-back in the development of The Gambia and a critical determinant of national development performance in the country. As post-colonial Gambia tottered towards a failed state, speculations were rife that the British and other European countries, especially the French, caused a great disarticulation to the country which continued to have major adverse and multiplier effects on The Gambia.
The movement for self government started as far back as 1920 and was led by Edward Francis Small. Newspapers, Ratepayers Association, unions, Farmers Co-operatives were utilised as instruments to mobilise, organise and sensitise people for self government. The struggle for self government was opposed by the colonial administrators. However, town councils emerged with elected minorities and official majorities as far back as 1930. Eventually this was followed by calls for election to fill the posts in the advisory bodies known as executive and legislative councils. This battle was won and limited suffrage was introduced.
The desire of the people of The Gambia to rule themselves gradually developed after the World War II. Political parties were formed in the colony and some later extended to the Protectorate. By 1950 the movement to establish political parties had emerged and contested for seats in the legislative council took on a more partisan character. The demand for universal suffrage intensified. A constitutional conference was held in 1959 which gave birth to the 1960 constitution.
Universal suffrage was introduced and 12 seats were allocated to the then protectorate from the colony. In 1961, the Gambia Workers Union which had developed a radical agenda not only for higher wages but also for political transformation of the country in line with trade unions in Ghana and elsewhere in organised a successful strike in January 1961. The whole country was put to a stand still at a time when the trade season was supposed to have been in full force. Even the once dormant court servants became more determined to wake up from their political slumber. They began to agitate for the Gambianisation of the public service.
Constitutional talks were held in 1961 to address the new realities. The bitter rivalries between the political parties delayed the enlightenment of the people. Political loyalty centred around time, the rural/urban dwellers and personalities. Hence instead of gaining independence the constitutional changes made room for internal self government in 1963.
A constitution came into being in 1963 which transformed the executive council into a cabinet. The Queen still remained sovereign. The governor had control of defence and, the security forces, public services and foreign affairs.
The Gambia is said to have become independent on the 18th February 1965. On the 18th of February 1965, The Gambia gained political independence from Britain. Although Britain's Queen Elizabeth II remained as titular head of state. It was strongly felt that The Gambia would not be able to stand on her own and there were talks of forming a federation with Senegal. But this did not materialise at the time.
Around the same time, two events occurred that enabled the tiny nation to survive and even prosper. For a decade after independence, the world price for groundnuts increased significantly, raising the country's GNP almost threefold. The second event had an even more resounding effect - Gambia became a significant tourist destination.
The fact of the matter however is that while the 1906 constitution gave authority for the cabinet to be in charge of foreign affairs defende executive power was vested in her majesty the Queen of the UK.
Section 32 of the 1965 constitution read: "There shall be a parliament which shall consist of Her Majesty and a House of Representatives."
Section 29 indicated that "There shall be a Governor-General who shall be appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during her Majesty's pleasure and who shall be her majesty's representative in the Gambia."
Section 60 subsection (1) indicated that "The Governor-General may at any time prorogue or dissolve Parliament."
Section 62 sub section (1) indicated that "The executive authority of The Gambia is vested in Her Majesty." Subsection (2) adds that "Subject to the provision of this constitution, the executive authority of The Gambia may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by Governor- General, either directly or through officers subordinate to him."
Hence it was clear that Gambia was still a constitutional monarchy on the 18th February 1965. It was not a sovereign Republic. A sovereign Republic cannot owe any allegiance or obedience to foreign power or state. On the 18th February 1965 the Queen of England still held executive power in the country. The Gambia became a sovereign Republic on 24th April 1970 following a majority-approved referendum. This is why the 1970 constitution has no provision for a Queen's representative in the country.
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