President Yahya Jammeh

President Yahya Jammeh’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth has left Africa divided right in the middle. Running the gamut, the leader has cited his intention to “decolonize” the Gambia completely. Gambia's former Vice President Bakary Dabo and chairman of the country's campaign for democratic change however expresses a contrary opinion saying that the Gambian people are generally "very happy" to be part of the Commonwealth.

Is the motive behind this exit freeing Gambia from neo-colonialism or vengeance against British lectures about democratization of The Gambia? Is Gambia “mature and decolonized” enough to detach from its former colonial masters forgiving all crumbs she used to enjoy? Is it the beginning of the end of the Commonwealth? Who will follow?

There are those who support this move saying that it is time for Africa to stand by herself instead of being bulldozed by her former colonial masters. On the other hand, there are those who think Gambia is misguided and will regret its decision to exit Commonwealth. Interestingly, others think that Gambia will be spared from the costs it has been incurring as Jammeh attends Commonwealth conferences every year.

The looks of things show that strong men are likely to “decolonize” Africa especially when they are opposed. The wave of exiting the Commonwealth started in 1949 when Ireland exited followed by Fiji in 1987 (later it rejoined the commonwealth) and Zimbabwe in 2003 when Britain opposed Robert Mugabe openly by supporting his arch rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

This has become the tendency of African strong men when cornered. Jammeh’s move reminds the world of recent U-turn by the African Union against the International Criminal Court after showing signs of impeaching African rulers. The choir of these attacks was led by leaders who, like Jammeh, have accused the west of neo colonialism whenever the west tells them to implement human rights and true democracy in their countries.  Again, when the same west offers aid, they keep mum! Denouncing the west and branding it as neo-colonialist has become another way for African strongmen to try intimidate the west especially when things seem not to work in their favour. Are they men enough to exit all “colonial extensions” they are affiliated with? Will they, like Fiji, return?

By Nkwazi Mhango

The author [email protected] is a Canada based Tanzanian and author of Saa Ya Ukombozi.