Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has declared his Muslim-majority country an Islamic republic, saying the move marks a break with the colonial past.
Mr. Jammeh told state TV the proclamation was in line with Gambia’s “religious identity and values.”
He added that no dress code would be imposed and citizens of other faiths would be allowed to practise freely.
Some 90 per cent of Gambians are Muslim. The former British colony’s economy relies heavily on tourism.
However, relations with the West have soured recently, the BBC reports.
The European Union temporarily withheld aid money to Gambia last year over its poor human rights record.
Mr. Jammeh has been president of the tiny West African country for 21 years.
“As Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy,” Mr. Jammeh told state TV, explaining his decision to proclaim an Islamic republic.
Other Islamic republics include Iran, Pakistan and – in Africa, Mauritania.
Mr. Jammeh withdrew Gambia from the Commonwealth in 2013, describing the organisation as neo-colonial.
In 2007, he claimed to have found an herbal cure for Aids. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
It can only happen in Africa, since they have no solution meeting the needs of citizens they take solace in offering the usual opium to take advantage of the masses
ReplyDeleteEven from his look, one can deduce how crude, primitive, local and uncivilized he can be. He is a man of many controversies. For his country to remain in Commonwealth, or for him to enslave his people for 21 years, which is better? No wonder Gambia still remains at distance back in the comity of Nations.
ReplyDeleteEven from his look, one can deduce how crude, primitive, local and uncivilized he can be. He is a man of many controversies. For his country to remain in Commonwealth, or for him to enslave his people for 21 years, which is better? No wonder Gambia still remains at distance back in the comity of Nations.As events are unfolding, we are watching.
ReplyDeleteEnter your comment...god bless u and ur country!god bless all islamic states!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mr Yahya. There is nothing wrong with that okay
ReplyDeleteHow does that affect good value for his people and boost the economy?
DeleteHe should not only be declarer but wealth creator.....
A lot is wrong. They have further enslaved themselves in the hands of the demons of Islam.
ReplyDeleteThat's good
ReplyDeletecongratulation president yahaya
ReplyDeleteIs that not what Muslims are praying for in Nigeria? It shall never happen, except they want war.
ReplyDeleteMr. Jammeh, after 21 years at the helm of affairs of the Gambia, has only himself to blame for the woes of the Gambia. The best thing is to step aside and let a better Gambian do the job. If the majority of his country was pagan, would he have changed it to The Pagan Republic of Gambia? Or being this poor, The Poor Republic of the Gambia? Mr. Jammeh is a distraction for the Gambia, simple. Other countries in the region, say ECOWAS, should help even if the Gambia is not a member!
ReplyDeleteSatan at work through humans here. Christians take note. There is definitely a way out.
ReplyDelete