Gambia president declares country an Islamic republic

Dec 17, 2015 In order news, Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh recently declared the formerly secular country an Islamic republic.

According to him, the move is designed to further distant the country from its colonial past.

While making the announcement, President Jammeh said:

“As from today, Gambia is an Islamic republic. We will be an Islamic state that will respect the rights of all citizens and non-citizens.”

95 percent of Gambia’s populations are Muslims; however the president insisted that other citizens of other faiths would still be able to practice.

President Jammeh, who is an animated orator, went on to explain:

“It’s up to you. It’s a choice between heaven and hell but my decision will not be altered, my decision is final, the constitution is not the Koran and also is not from the holy Koran, so we will alter it to suit our new dispensation.”

Despite its strong commercial ties with Britain and other European countries, Gambia’s relation with the West has deteriorated in recent years. In 2013, President Jammeh pulled Gambia out of the Commonwealth, calling it neo-colonial.