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.


http://thenationonlineng.net/gambia-declared-islamic-republic/

Good for them. I just hope that this won't backfire and become a nesting ground for extremists in Africa.

SAI GODIYA MAKE I PACK MY LUGGAGE GO THERE

With 90% of the citizens muslims it's quite logical. Nice move

See these foolish people. It's like declaring yourself open for inslamic terrorist infiltration. Anyways, good luck to them. Maybe God save us from "them"

Their country.

Their decision.

Their Choice. Hope Jammeh is investing in building his Country's human capital, Gambia having a Nigerian as Chief Justice of The Gambia after sacking the former Chief Justice who is Pakistani is really telling!

If 90 percent are muslims then ican see the logic in this....

Remind me of ugwu .... if u put awusa na u sabi.

90% of it's citizen being muslims is not enough reason it should be declared an islamic republic,the remaining 10% of other religions should not be swallowed.with this development i foresees gambians discriminating their christian minority just like saudi arabia,libya,iraq and other arab countries.

Africans are foolish.

You're breaking with colonial past but donning a toga of what appears to be another 'colonial' legacy.

Until Africans stop swinging between Europe and Arab, we will never grow.

Good for them

jammeh is a corrupt nd power drunken president, y can't u conduct referendum.

U wan to invite terrorism to ur small country.
It really baffle me to see a former british colony to declare dis.

I hope that man know what he is doing, seeking for salvation from those that sees you less than a slave is no good move at all.
the next thing is to declare Sharia and say Christians have no place in the country. How are we sure that it is only 10%. It may just the way some Northern persons in Nigeria are claiming there are no Muslim in the North.

may this not happen in Nigeria AMEN.
. end time declaration

Gambia:the new breeding ground for terrorist.

INTROVERT:
Good for them. I just hope that this won't backfire and become a nesting ground for extremists in Africa.

just sharrap your mouth.

Blackfire:
Gambia:the new breeding ground for terrorist.

rip english

clevadani:
rip english

correct me,how should i write it?

Herald47:
90% of it's citizen being muslims is not enough reason it should be declared an islamic republic,the remaining 10% of other religions should not be swallowed.with this development i foresees gambians discriminating their christian minority just like saudi arabia,libya,iraq and other arab countries.

you are quite right..... but just yesterday Islam was declared illegal in a fellow African country. discrimination against other religion is not permitted in Islam.

why must you officially declared it islamic republic what is the logic?

Africa wept

Gambia has just cursed it self ..

Watch it become a danger zone

Why can Africa not be for africa

and not be a slave yard for others to dump their stupid culture or religion

Hmmmmm what can l say

Herald47:
90% of it's citizen being muslims is not enough reason it should be declared an islamic republic,the remaining 10% of other religions should not be swallowed.with this development i foresees gambians discriminating their christian minority just like saudi arabia,libya,iraq and other arab countries.

How did you know that the remaining 10% re Christians?