Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof

**Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof** (22 October 1924 – 2 April 2011), wey people commonly know am as **Cham Joof** anaa Alhaji Cham Joof (pen name: Alh. A.E. Cham Joof), be Gambian historian, politician, author, trade unionist, broadcaster, radio programme director, scout master, Pan-Africanist, lecturer, columnist, activist, plus African nationalist wey fight for Gambia ein independence during de colonial era.

## Early life
Cham Joof born on 22 October 1924 for 7 Griffith Street (Half-Die) insyd Bathurst, wey now be Banjul, de capital of Gambia. E come from Serer plus Wolof background. E be de third pikin den de eldest son of Ebrima Joof (1887–1949) plus Aji Anna Samba (1896 – 9 April 1977). From ein poppie ein side (de Joof family), e be descendant of de Joof Dynasty of Sine den Saloum, plus de Njie Dynasty of Jolof. From ein mommie ein side, e be great grand-nephew of Tafsir Sa Lolly Jabou Samba—one 19th-century Senegambian jihadist, military strategist, den advisor to Maba Diakhou Bâ, plus one of de commanders of ein army. Cham Joof be de senior brother of Gambian barrister Alhaji Bai Modi Joof.

### Education
Cham Joof start ein schooling just before ein 12th birthday. E attend St. Mary’s Personage for de Priest ein Residence for 1935. After e finish ein first key stage, e move go St. Mary’s Kings School (St Mary’s Anglican School) under de guidance of Reverend John Colley Faye (wey people dey call Rev. J. C. Faye). E dey there till 1940. After e pass ein Standard Four Examination, e progress go St. Augustine’s High School (now St. Augustine’s Secondary School) plus prominent Gambian political figures like Alhaji Kebba Conteh, M. L Drammeh, den Michael Baldeh. Cham Joof be passionate football player. While e dey St. Augustine’s High School, dem select am as de school ein goalkeeper. Ein favourite subjects be history den religious studies. E complete ein schooling for 1945, wey coincide plus de end of World War II. After ein schooling, e get job plus CFAO (Compagnie Française de l'Afrique Occidentale), where e work as Commercial Clerk till 1962.

## Scouting movement
Cham Joof dey referred to as “doyen of scouting insyd Gambia.” E grow from Wolf Cub Scout den serve de scouting movement from 1938 go reach 2005, when e retire as President of de Gambia National Scout Council. Cham Joof write plenty on de history of Scouting for Gambia. For 1943, dem appoint am as leader of de Gambian Contingent of Boys Scout wey travel go Mali. From 1946 to 1952, Cham Joof serve as Assistant Scout Master. E be de founder plus first Group Scout Master of 5th Bathurst (wey now be Banjul). Insyd late 1940s, Cham Joof represent de Gambia Scout movement den deliver speech for King George VI ein front for London. E be de first Gambian Scout wey dem award de Wood Badge by de Chief Scout, wey happen for 1954 for de International Scout Leader training centre for Gilwell Park insyd England. Na during ein scouting days wey Gambia Scouts Council appoint am to represent de youth for de Coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II for June 1953. Then for 1957, Cham Joof get selected as Leader of de Gambia Contingent for de World Scout Jamboree wey dem hold for Sutton Coldfield insyd Birmingham (England). From Wolf Cub Scout to Scout Master, Commissioner in Charge of Training, den President of de Gambia Scout Council, Cham Joof give one rare interview to *Foroyaa Panorama* where e talk say:

: *"Scouting, which is a supplementary to education, was dear in my heart and I served the movement from 1938 up to date."*

## Party politics den activism (colonial period)
Under de guidance of Rev. J. C. Faye plus I.M. Garba-Jahumpa, Cham Joof enter politics, den for 1954 e defeat ein opponent Paul Njie den win as Town Councillor for Soldier Town Ward insyd Banjul Central. After ein first term end, Cham Joof stand again for 1958 den win unopposed. While e dey for Council, Cham Joof hold plenty positions like: Chairman of de Colony Team (wey be like de Physical Planning Unit of de Ministry for Local Government), Chairman of de Parks, Open Space den Cemetery Committee. By 1961, dem appoint am as Member of de Royal Visit Committee for Queen Elizabeth II ein visit to Gambia. By 1962, ein second term as Councillor end. Even though e be prominent Councillor, ein big break for politics come for 1960 when dem elect am as Social Secretary for The Gambia Democratic Party (GDP). Dis GDP (wey before be Gambia Congress Party) be de first political party for Gambia, wey Rev. J. C. Faye form for February 1951 for de then Information Bureau for Allen Street insyd Banjul. Cham Joof ein appointment as Social Secretary—inside party wey e dey part of since dem start am—push ein political career forward den make am one important public figure for Gambia.

### Nationalism
While Cham Joof dey politics, e lead series of campaigns against de British colonial administration for Gambia. All dis campaign dem be to make sure say Gambia go get independence from colonial rule. Dis mission become serious after Ghana gain ein independence for 1957. Insyd 1958, Cham Joof plus ein political colleagues form one All Party Committee wey include political leaders plus chiefs. De purpose be to fight for self-governance den decide de political future of de country. E take dem 18 months to prepare one full Constitution wey dem back up with de slogan: “Self-government now.” But when dem submit de Constitution to de Secretary of State for de Colonies (Allan Lennox Boyd) through de British Governor, almost 75% of all demma proposals get rejected. Dis rejection lead to de “Bread and Butter Demonstration” of 1959, wey Cham Joof help spearhead.

**De Bread den Butter Demonstration (1959)**

After de British administration refuse to give Gambia independence, Cham Joof organise one pre-demonstration meeting for outside ein family house for Albion Place (wey now be Freedom Lane insyd Banjul). He den ein colleagues already hear say de Secretary of State for de Colonies, Allan Lennox Boyd, dey come Gambia for one day visit (2 June 1959), but e refuse to meet dem or address demma demands, talk say ein schedule tight. So dem plan de meeting make e happen same time as de visit. As Cham Joof dey talk to de people den ein colleagues, e inform dem say de colonial authorities reject demma proposal, den de Secretary of State no wan see dem. E tell dem say anybody wey wan fit join dem go march go Government House to demand self-governance. As de demonstrators enter Government House ein area, dem start dey shout: "We want rights and justice." Then one person from de crowd shout: "We want bread and butter," wey everybody begin follow am chant—and dat be how “Bread and Butter” enter de slogan. Dis incident now dey known for Gambia as “de Bread and Butter Demonstration.”

Cham Joof plus ein associates no get chance to meet de Secretary of State for de Colony, den British field force receive order make dem beat de unarmed demonstrators den spray tear gas to stop dem from entering Government House insyd Banjul. But de demonstrators no gree; dem stand demma ground den demand say dem wan see de Secretary of State. As dis dey happen, Police Superintendent Mr. Ferguson tell ein Secretary, Miss Clark, make she type one Rights Act wey talk say: "Anybody seen at the vicinity of the Governor's house will be tried and imprisoned for 5 years." Cham Joof plus some of ein colleagues get charged say dem dey "incite de public to disobey de laws of de land." He plus people like Crispin Grey Johnson (make dem no confuse am plus Crispin Grey-Johnson wey be Secretary of State for Higher Education as of 2008) and Mr. M. B. Jones (both from de Aku ethnic group) get arrested, taken go court, den dem label dem as political prisoners.

Even though dem protest to de magistrate wey dey preside over de case, de matter still go on for three months. Demma Gambian lawyer, Bamba Saho, challenge de colonial authorities den refer to de Declaration of Human Rights plus "Freedom of assembly." Dis legal argument lead de Attorney General to release Cham Joof den ein colleagues.

### Independence
Under de name of Democratic Congress Alliance (DCA), Cham Joof contest against Pierre Sarr Njie (wey people dey call P. S. Njie) for de Legislative Council Election of 1960, but e lose. Then for 1961, de British Government appoint P. S. Njie—even though e party be minority—for Chief Minister of Gambia. Dis decision no sit well plus plenty Gambian voters, because P. S. Njie ein side no get de numbers wey Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara ein side get (Jawara later go become de first president of Gambia). Because of dis tension, dem dissolve de Council den organise one Constitutional Conference for Lancaster House insyd London, for July 1961.

Cham Joof plus ein party members join de dominant People's Progressive Party (PPP) for 1962 to form de PPP/DCA Alliance. Insiyd dis new political alliance, Cham Joof contest again against P. S. Njie, but e lose. According to wetin Cham Joof talk, he "knew say he no fit defeat P. S. Njie", but he still contest to defend ein moral dignity as a defector, so say P. S. Njie no go fit enter de provinces. De date for Self-Governance get fixed for 1962, den Dawda Jawara get appointed as Prime Minister of de Colony. Insyd 1964, dem hold anoda Constitutional Conference for Marlborough House insyd London, to determine de date for full independence. De final date dem fix be 18 February 1965, wey Gambia come become one independent State, den Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, wey de Queen of de United Kingdom knight, come be de first president of de country. Even though Cham Joof be member of Dawda Jawara ein party (PPP), he no be one of de main political figures for de party—both before den after independence.

#### Trade Unionism
Cham Joof ein involvement insyd de trade union movement come from de inspiration wey e get from Edward Francis Small—one member of de Aku group wey form de first trade union for Gambia for 1929, wey dem call The Bathurst Trade Union, den later for 1935, e form de Gambia Labour Union. During de colonial time, no Wage Control Board dey. Gambian workers either gree take low wages or leave deir job. To fight dis, Edward Francis Small organize one national strike wey last for 82 days. But de strike no reach ein main goal, as low wages den forced taxation still continue reach 1961. Insyd de 1961 groundnut trade season, Cham Joof (as member of de Select Committee) plus ein colleagues from de Gambia Workers' Union organize one national strike on behalf of daily paid workers. Dis strike last five days. Momodou Ebrima Jallow (wey dem dey call M. E. Jallow), wey be de leader of de Gambia Workers' Union dat time, take charge to negotiate wage terms plus de Chambers of Commerce. Dem tell Jallow make e go convince de workers say make dem return to work, den dem go pay de wages. De workers gather for KGV (King George V) playing ground for *Half-Die* insyd Banjul to hear from Jallow. Jallow come talk say de negotiation be successful and ask dem make dem go back to work. But Cham Joof no trust de British administration. E believe say dem dey fool Jallow. To show ein disagreement, Cham Joof climb stage talk to de workers say make nobody go back to work until dem wage demands dey fulfilled. Insiyd Wolof, Jallow tell Cham Joof: "You dey set de nation on fire." Cham Joof reply: "I go burn am till e turn ashes… positive action na we need now, nobody go work for dem."

Cham Joof lead one big demonstration for Banjul, den after dem finish deir meeting, Jallow get arrested. Cham Joof carry de whole crowd of demonstrators go near ein house den set up one Strike Committee. Dis committee write letters of protest den petitions wey dem send give international organizations including de United Nations. As soon as Cham Joof hear say Jallow dey inside cell, e lead ein followers go Police Station for Buckle Street den demand make dem release am immediately. Cham Joof mobilize support from commercial workers, civil servants, den de World Assembly of Youth. Jallow finally get release from prison. De British administration, after dem see say Gambian workers dey support de demonstration, ask for help from de British administration for Sierra Leone, make dem send some officers come Gambia to support de Gambia police force. But instead of one big force, dem only send two Commissioners come Gambia to write report to amend The Trade Union Act den set up one Joint Industrial Council. Cham Joof na dem appoint as Chairman of de Joint Industrial Council for early 1960s.

## Pan-Africanism
From de 1960s, Cham Joof stand out as one of de top Pan-Africanists for Gambia. E attend de first Pan-African Youth Movement Conference wey dem hold for Tunisia inside 1960 plus de second conference wey happen for Tanzania insyd 1961. For dis two conferences, e meet Julius Nyerere den Kenneth Kaunda (wey later become de first presidents of Tanzania den Zambia respectively). E even sit inside same plane plus Kaunda, den dem two hold political discussion about how Africa go fit gain independence.

For de first ever Organization of African Unity (OAU) Conference wey dem hold on 1 May 1963 for Addis Ababa, Cham Joof deliver one speech to de Members wey e talk say:

“E never even reach 75 years now wey European Powers sit round table for Germany, each one hold dagger, dey carve Africa for dem own benefit.… Una success go inspire den speed up de freedom plus total independence of de African continent, den go clear imperialism den colonialism from de continent, plus finally neo-colonialism from de globe… Una failure—which no true African for Africa dey pray for—go make our struggle long plus full of bitterness den disappointment. So I beg make una ignore any suggestion wey come from outside Africa, plus make una remember say dis civilization wey some big powers dey boast about, na Africa e first spring from. Den make una realize say de whole world get something wey e fit learn from Africa. So make una try hard to agree, save Africa from de claws of neo-colonialism, plus bring back African dignity, manhood, den national stability.”

## Alex Haley den ''Roots''
Insyd 1967, while Cham Joof be Secretary-General for de Gambia Farmers, Poultry and Fishermen Union, e go Atlantic Hotel for Banjul to meet ein trade union colleague Irving Brown from de American Federation of Labor. One former scout of Cham Joof, wey dey with Alex Haley ein team (including George Sim), see Cham Joof plus introduce am to Haley. Alex Haley come Gambia dey look for ein roots based on one old family story. Dem ask Cham Joof make e help dem carry out de research. Cham Joof ask for small time make e prepare for dis hard assignment. E come bring three of ein friends: M. E. Jallow, A. B. Sallah plus K. O. Janneh. De four of dem form research committee plus start de journey to trace Haley ein ancestor. Dem keep dey communicate plus Haley after e return to de US. Cham Joof den ein team no really trust Kebba Kanji Fofana (de griot for Jufureh), so dem interview other well-known Gambians, including oral historians, wey fit sabi more about de matter. When Alex Haley return visit Gambia, e give some conditions, like make dem change de book title wey dem originally agree on, plus say de story go include dramatization. So *Roots: The Saga of an American Family* turn into one fictional work. But over de years, Haley ein Roots story and de TV show based on ein family history become controversial and some genealogists like Elizabeth Shown Mills challenge de authenticity.

## Politics (post-colonial period)

### Jammeh ein government
After President Yahya Jammeh take power for Gambia inside 1994 through military coup d'état, some respected Gambian figures like Dr Lenrie Peters, Deyda Hydara, Bishop Solomon Tilewa Johnson, den others get appointed as members of de National Consultative Committee. Dis committee ein main work be to ensure quick den peaceful return to democratic rule. Cham Joof be one of de respected statesmen wey dem elect to serve on dat committee.  Even though Cham Joof spend much of ein time writing books plus manuscripts, e still be very important source of wisdom for younger Gambian politicians. But some Gambian journalists criticize President Jammeh say e no follow de report nor implement de recommendations wey de committee give. Reports talk say Jammeh just create dat committee to make ein military regime look respectable, legitimate den trustworthy in de eyes of de public. 

Insyd 2002, Cham Joof help create de Hansard Unit for inside Gambia National Assembly, wey dey responsible for keeping official written records of parliamentary proceedings. That same year, dem appoint am as member of de International Committee of Dispute Resolution, wey dey work on promoting peaceful settlement of conflicts through dialogue and legal frameworks.

## History den academia

### Radio Gambia
Cham Joof join Radio Gambia as freelance broadcaster for 1968. During ein time for there, dem appoint am Director of Programme, den e spearhead one major radio programme called Chossani Senegambia (wey mean *de history of Senegambia*) together plus veteran presenters like Alhaji Assan Njie den Alhaji Mansour Njie. Dis programme be collaboration between Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal, den dem plan am make both stations go live de same time and date, so sey Gambian den Senegalese people fit listen together. Cham Joof den ein team travel throughout Gambia den Senegal to interview elders make dem narrate de oral histories of Senegambia. Sometimes, Senegalese historians go even come Radio Gambia studio live, and vice versa. Cham Joof be strong advocate for revival of Senegambian culture den promotion of local languages, den by 1974, dem appoint am as head of local languages for de station. E retire from broadcasting for 1982.

### Street names insyd Banjul
Before dem change de street names for Banjul on 22 August 1998—as dem dey try distant de city from ein colonial past—Cham Joof be one of de people wey dem consult. Dem ask am to give de history of de streets, talk about de prominent families wey live for dem streets, explain demma historical background, den why dem important for Senegambian history.

### University lectures
Insyd ein later years, Cham Joof turn part-time history lecturer for University of de Gambia. As time go on, some of de university students start dey go ein house to receive demma lectures. E too write plenty books den manuscripts wey relate to de history of Gambia plus Senegambia.

### Selection of books den manuscripts authored by Cham Joof
Plenty of Cham Joof ein manuscripts no publish, but scholars wey interact plus am—Africans, Europeans den Americans—still quote am for demma works about Senegambian history. Some of Cham Joof ein works include:

* *Gambia, Land of our heritage*
* *The history of the Banjul Mosque*
* *Senegambia, The land of our heritage*
* *The history of the Bushell. Origin of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce & Industries*
* *Getting to know The Gambia*
* *Reviving a culture that had refused to die* (1995)
* *The calendar of historical events in The Gambia, 1455–1995* (1995)
* *The Research Committee of Mbootaayi Xamxami Wolof*
* *The Centenary of Muhammedan School, 1903–2003*. The First School Built by Muslim Community in Bathurst. A Memory Lane.
* *The lives of the Great Islamic Scholars and Religious leaders of Senegambia.* (November 1998)
* *Banjul, The Gambia*
* *From: Freedom. To: Slavery. The evil that men do. Lives after them. Alex Haley’s "Roots"*
* *The century of historic events in The Gambia*. Third Edition, 1900–1999.
* *Ethnic groups of The Gambia*. 1990
* *The history of Fanal* (January 1991)
* *Party politics in The Gambia, 1945–1970*
* *The visit of the venerable Sheikh Alhaji Sekou Umar (Futi) Taal, Njol Futa to The Gambia*. A visit which illuminates a whole nation.
* *Know your country, General knowledge, Questions*
* *Know your country, General knowledge, Answers*
* *The Adventurer*
* *The traditional way of life in Gambian society*
* *The root cause of the bread and butter demonstration*, s.n. (1959)
* *Banjul Daemba 1816–1999 Tagator* (1999)

### Newspaper columns
Cham Joof na regular columnist den contributor to **De Point Newspaper** plus **Weekend Observer** ein “History Corner” (wey be De Daily Observer ein weekend paper). Na he “pioneer” dis column (History Corner) insyd 1993, den later he ask Hassoum Ceesay from De Daily Observer make he take over am. Ceesay take over de column insyd 1996. Some of Cham Joof ein columns include:

* *The Point Newspaper*, Friday, 9 May 2003 (Gambia):

: Alhaji. A. E. Cham Joof, M.R.G "The Genesis of The Half-Die Mosque."

* Weekend Observer, 19–21 July 1996, p.&nbsp;11:

: Alhajie. A. E. Cham Joof, *"Chossani Senegambia"*, (History of Saloum)

* *Weekend Observer*. 29–31 March 1995. P. 9 (Gambia ):

: History Corner with Alhaji A. E Cham Joof. "Diamond Jubilee of Scouting in The Gambia, Senegambian Scouting Joint Committee Senegalo/Gambian Katibougou old Scouts."

* *Weekend Observer*. May 1995

: History Corner with Alhaji A. E Cham Joof. "The History of the Banjul Mosque", *Weekend Observer*, 5–7 May 1995: 5, 10.

## Organisations wey Cham Joof found anaa co-found

* Insyd 1957, Cham Joof form de first Gambian Youth Movement wey dem call Central Council of Youths insyd de Gambia. He be de Secretary General for dis Council den he help build de Council ein headquarters insyd Banjul.
* Cham Joof too be one of de founder-members den Secretary for de Gambia Development Company. Dem form dis company insyd 1964, den reports show say na dem introduce tourism insyd de Gambia.
* Insyd 1965, Cham Joof start Bathurst Studios. De aim for dis studio be to train young men for practical skills like art den craft. Na dis same studio design den produce Banjul City Council ein coat of arms.
* De Gambia Farmers Poultry den Fishermen Union be founded by Cham Joof insyd 1966. He too be member den Secretary General for dis Union. E be during ein term as Secretary General wey he welcome Alex Haley when he visit de Gambia for 1967.
* Mbootaayi Xamxami Wolof (wey mean *de Wolof Wisdom ein Association*) be formed for 1978. Cham Joof be one of de founder-members den Secretary for dis Association.
* Cham Joof too co-found “ECCO” de Gambia (Education Through Culture den Communication Organisation). He be de serving Chairman for dis Organisation. ECCO be one “Non-governmental organisation wey dey interested for promote den protect local cultures.”

## Oda positions held by Cham Joof

* Member of de Dispute Tribunal Unit of the Magistrates Court in Banjul (2003–2007)
* Chairman of de Finance Committee of the Business Training Centre (BTC)
* Chairman of de Gambian Planning Committee
* Vice President of de Gambia Football Association
* Secretary of de Central Council of Youth Clubs of the Gambia
* Financial Secretary of de Gambia Democratic Party... etc.

## Death
Cham Joof die on 2 April 2011, just before ein 87th birthday, for ein house insyd Bakau (one town insyd de Gambia).

As tribute to Cham Joof, Hassoum Ceesay from De Daily Observer newspaper talk say:*“De death... of Alhaji A.E. Cham Joof dey cost de Gambia ein most top historian.”*Professor Sulayman S. Nyang from Howard University talk say:*“I know am since my young days as Boy’s Scout insyd de Gambia. I dey write now to testify say he be one community leader den activist wey try very hard to capture we memories den stories inside de pages of history.”*Mr. Momodou Jammeh from De Point Newspaper pay ein tribute inside dis words:*“He be key person among dem wey organize de Bread and Butter demonstration, wey lead to constitutional development for de Gambia... He be dynamic den soft-spoken man, wey always dey keep low profile. Ein door always open to anybody wey need ein service.”*

## Legacy
Cham Joof lef behind legacy wey include plenty books den manuscripts about de history of de Gambia plus Senegambia in general (Senegal den Gambia), plus cultural development insyd de Gambia. During ein lifetime, he donate plenty documents to Gambia ein National Archive (wey be de National Record Services) – where he serve as chairman. He too be philosophical person, den he lef plenty proverbs wey root insyd *social consciousness* den history. Cham Joof dey seen as one of de top Gambian nationalists during de colonial era wey work hard to get independence for de Gambia. He be one of de leading Gambian political figures wey fight for make every Gambian get de right to vote, den he pressure de British Government until dem gree change de Constitution. Even though Cham Joof no be one of de main members of de People’s Progressive Party before or after independence, ein long-time contribution for politics, history den culture for de country dey well recognized.

## Notes den references



## Read further

* Wright, Donald R. *The World and a Very Small Place in Africa: a history of globalization in Niumi, the Gambia.* M. E. Sharpe, 2010. 
* Joof, Alh. A. E. Cham. *The root cause of the bread and butter demonstration.* s.n. (1959)
* Arts news: *Newsletter of the National Council for Arts and Culture,* Volume 1, Issues 1–2. National Council for Arts and Culture, 1993
* Hughes, Arnold and Perfect, David. *A Political History of The Gambia, 1816–1994.* University of Rochester Press (2006). 
* Jawara, Dawda Kairaba. *Kairaba* (2009). 
* Gamble, David P., & Sperling, Louise. *A general bibliography of the Gambia (up to 31 December 1977).* G. K. Hall, 1979. 
* United States. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, United States. Office of International Labor Affairs. Directory of labor organizations, Africa. Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
* United States. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Directory of labor organizations: Africa, Volume 1. Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1966.
* Hughes, Arnold, & Perfect, David. *Historical Dictionary of The Gambia.* Scarecrow Press, 2008. 
* Hughes, Arnold & Perfect, David, *Historical Dictionary of The Gambia*, Scarecrow Press (2008), p.&nbsp;312, , ()
* Gamble, David P. *Postmortem: a study of the Gambian section of Alex Haley's "Roots"* (2000)
* Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. *Who's Who in Commonwealth Broadcasting.* Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, 1979.
* Langley, J. Ayodele. *Pan-Africanism and Nationalism in West Africa, 1900–1945: a study in ideology and social classes.* Clarendon Press, 1973.
* Grey-Johnson, Nana. *Edward Francis Small: Watchdog of The Gambia.* BPMRU, 2002. 
## External links
*Foroyaa : Exclusive interview with Foroyaa Panorama
**The Point Newspaper*: (The Point – Cham Joof pictured with the author)
*Gainako News
*All Africa
**The Daily Observer* :(The Daily Observer – A Great Gambian historian)
*''The Eye Magazine''. ''"The Rocky road to nationhood"''  by Baboucarr Joof. p 4
*Edie, Carlene J. *Democracy in The Gambia: Past, Present and Prospects for the Future*. Africa Development. Vol. XXV. nos. 3 & 4. (2000).  pp 1–4 http://ajol.info/index.php/ad/article/viewFile/22106/19406
*ECCO Website Archived 4 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
*"Message to the Founding Fathers of the OAU at their First Conference at Addis Ababa – 1st May 1963 – Alhaji A E Cham-Joof", (Cham Joof's speech to the first OAU conference on 1 May 1963) [in] The Point Newspaper, (Thursday 29 June 2006) http://archive.thepoint.gm/Opinion%20-%20Talking%20Point52.htm Archived 23 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine