Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

Gambian president declares country Islamic republic

Gambian president declares country Islamic republic
Copyright 
By Euronews
Published on
Share this article Comments
Share this article Close Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copy to clipboard Copied

The president of the Gambia has declared his country an Islamic Republic. Yahya Jammeh claims the move marks a break with the colonial past and was

ADVERTISEMENT

The president of the Gambia has declared his country an Islamic Republic.

Yahya Jammeh claims the move marks a break with the colonial past and was in line with Gambia’s religious identity and values.

Over 90% of Gambians are Muslim.

Jammeh has said that no dress code would be imposed and people of other religions would be allowed practice freely.

Known for being an animated orator, Jammeh has earned a reputation for making surprise declarations since taking office 21-years-ago.

In 2013, he pulled Gambia out of the Commonwealth, claiming it was neo-colonial.

Relations with the EU have suffered in recent times with aid money suspended last year over its poor human rights record.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article Comments

Read more

Spain orders town to drop Muslim community religious gathering ban

Islamic court in Indonesia sentences two men to public caning over homosexual acts

Kazakhstan bans face coverings in public places