Gambia's president has declared the West African country an Islamic republic saying the decision was made because Islam is the religion of most citizens and the nation must
break away from its colonial past.
President Yahya Jammeh made the declaration at the end of a political rally held on Friday at the coastal village Brufut,
about 15km west of the capital Banjul.
"In line with the country's religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state," the Gambian leader said.
About 90 percent of Gambia's 1.8 million people are Muslim. The country gained independence from Britain in
1965. "Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy,"Jammeh said.
In an attempt to allay the fears of religious minorities, Jammeh said the rights of Gambia's Christian community - who make up about eight percent of the country's
population - will be protected.
Jammeh said there will be no mandates on dress. "We will be an Islamic state that would respect the rights of all citizens and non-citizens."
Hamat Bah, of the opposition National Reconciliation Party, criticised the decision. "There is a constitutional clause that
says that Gambia is a secular state," he said. "You cannot make such a declaration without going through a referendum."
Jammeh's government has been regularly criticised by Britain and other Western powers for human rights abuses.
Jammeh has ruled Gambia since seizing power in 1994.

Source: www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/gambia-president-declares-islamic-statehood-151212153025585.html

Endtime declaration

this is now sure ways to know a leader who has run out of ideas, buhari was once quoted saying vote by religious, jonathan almost turn himself to church wardens early dis year.

Yerima started it (say make man no look yarinya, he ranaway with a 15 years old fine girl wey he son mate for propose to) some mumu go think say na for allah, politics of reducing thier standard of thinking sorry living

He wants to break away from his colonial past but wants to entrench the legacy of his arab slave masters. Such warped thinking, as if islam is the original religion of his Gambian people.