The Gambia Now an Islamic Republic, Says President Yahya Jammeh

President Yahya Jammeh, pictured, is looking to the Arab world
for support to replace western aid funding to the Gambia,
according to critic Sidi Sanneh.

THE GUARDIAN: Leader who quit Commonwealth in 2013 says Muslim-majority state will still respect others citizens’ faiths but he wants to shake off ‘colonial legacy’

The Gambia has been declared an Islamic republic by President Yahya Jammeh who said he wanted to further distance the west African state from its colonial past.

The tiny, formerly secular country – named after the river from which British ships are said to have fired cannonballs to fix its borders – joins the ranks of other officially Islamic republics such as Iran and Afghanistan.

“In line with the country’s religious identity and values I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state,” said Jammeh on state television. “As Muslims are the majority in the country, Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy.” Read on and comment » | Staff and agencies in Bangul | Saturday, December 12, 2015