Gambia's president declares country an Islamic republic

About 90 percent of Gambia's 1.8 million people are Muslim

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh (AP)

Gambia's president has declared the tiny West African country an Islamic republic to break from the nation's colonial past.

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.

Jammeh's declaration was not to ally the country with the jihadist organization known as Isis.

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.

Jammeh has ruled Gambia since seizing power in 1994.

AP