West Africa Jihad: Gambia President declare Country an Islamic Nation

London: 1312/2015

By Peter Etim, Editor Biafran Mail, UK

Gambia despite been a secular country, has been unilaterally declared as an Islamic Republic to break from the nation's colonial past according to the Country's President, Yahya Jammeh.

It does not appear that President Yahya Jammeh's announcement changes Gambia's laws or the country's constitutional status as a secular state. 

Jammeh made the declaration on 11 December at a political rally in the coastal village Brufut, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) 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. 

"Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy," Jammeh said. The country gained independence from Britain in 1965. 

Analysts sees this development as unhealthy considering the fact that the tiny West Africa Country has been relatively peace as it concerns religious tolerance. Though many believed that his declaration was not to ally country with the Jihadist Organization such as ISIS, Boko Haram etc.

He said the rights of Gambia's Christian community will be respected. "We will be an Islamic state that would respect the rights of all citizens and non-citizens." 

The head of the country's Islamic body wouldn't say if he endorsed the declaration. 

"We haven't met yet to discuss over the presidential announcement," said Gambia's Supreme Islamic Council Chairman Imam Momodou Lamin Touray. 

Hamat Bah of the opposition National Reconciliation Party criticized 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." 

Gambia, which was part of the British Empire until 1965, is a popular beach destination for British tourists although Jammeh's government has been frequently criticized by Britain and other Western powers for human rights abuses.

This announcement has spread fears of religious fanaticism across the West Africa sub region, particularly Nigeria that has 86% of the region muslims population and currently bedeviled by muslim fanaticism called Bokoharam