MC Cham Sr. Criticizes Lack of Tribute to Founding Fathers at Gambia’s 60th Independence Anniversary

MC Cham Senior, The Only surviving Member of the Delegate to Marlborough Conference on the Gambia’s Independence.

By Fatou Sillah 

MC Cham Sr., the last surviving delegate to the historic Marlborough Conference that negotiated The Gambia’s independence, has expressed disappointment over the absence of tributes to the founding fathers during the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

In an exclusive interview with Kerr Fatou, MC Cham Sr. stated that the contributions of those who fought for The Gambia’s independence were overlooked.

“I did not hear any honour, respect or tribute from anybody. Anyone who heard about it can tell me. If they didn’t say they are the ones who started it, they also didn’t give any impression that it started somewhere. You don’t have to say that you are the one who started it, but you should also show the ones who were here or explain how we took over, how it was and how we made it this way,” he said.

MC Cham Sr. emphasized that the public is observing whether the current government is making progress in national development or failing to address the country’s pressing needs.
“People are watching to see whether you have brought progress to the development here or not, or whether you have ignored it,” he remarked.

Reflecting on the leadership of President Adama Barrow, former President Yahya Jammeh, and The Gambia’s first President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, MC Cham Sr. said there is no basis for comparison between the three administrations.

He recalled that upon returning from the Marlborough Conference, both the government and opposition were active participants in the nation’s affairs. He also highlighted the importance of The Gambia’s relationship with Senegal, noting that the country cannot thrive in isolation due to its geographic and political position.“When we came back, the government and opposition continued for some years, and with Jawara’s policy and the situation in the country, some of us joined in. And after that we started a good relationship with Senegal, because Gambia cannot live in isolation in policy and governance because we are almost surrounded by Senegal, and we are a smaller partner,” he explained.

MC Cham Sr. reflected on the challenges faced during the early years of independence, citing the country’s heavy reliance on foreign aid and the limited infrastructure inherited from British colonial rule.
“If I tell you that we were a grant aid, that sums it all. We did not inherit much. We only had a single lane of road just before the entrance of Brikama. That was the only thing we had. It used to take five days to get to Basse before. They used to cook for us provisional chairmen, that was why the steamers, river boats were very popular.” he recounted.

He also shared memories of popular riverboats that were vital for transportation at the time:
“You had the Vampire, well before independence, after we had the lady Denham, then we had the Prince of Wales, they were carrying everything,” he said.