Gambia, Africa

The Gambia is the smallest country on the African continental mainland. Flowing through the centre of the country and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean is the Gambia River. On 18 February 1965, The Gambia was granted independence from the United Kingdom. The Gambia has a liberal, market-based economy characterized by traditional subsistence agriculture, a historic reliance on groundnuts (peanuts) for export earnings, a re-export trade built up around its ocean port, low import duties, minimal administrative procedures, a fluctuating exchange rate with no exchange controls, and a significant tourism industry. According to the criminal code from 1965 homosexuality is an "unnatural offense" and is illegal. A prison sentence for perpetrators can be for up to 7 years. Gambia's military ruler said in May 2008 that stricter laws against homosexuals would soon be introduced.

 

 

Gambia declared Islamic republic by President Yahya Jammeh

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… Read more »

Gambia: President must reject homophobic law with life sentence for ‘aggravated homosexuality’

President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia should not sign a new Criminal Code amendment that would increase the punishment for “aggravated homosexuality” to life in prison, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said today. Several provisions of the law violate international human rights law and amount to persecution on the basis of real or perceived sexual… Read more »

Gambia: Bill passed to allow life imprisonment for gays

A Gambian politician has said the country is soon to adopt a law which allows life imprisonment for those found guilty of crimes linked to being gay. The law was passed by the National Assembly, and amends the criminal code to bring life sentences for “aggravated homosexuality.” The Associated Press reports that a draft bill… Read more »

Gambian president threatens Gambian gay asylum-seekers

Gambia’s young president Yahya Jammeh says he will “kill” any of his compatriots who seek asylum abroad claiming that their lives were in danger because they were homosexuals or lesbians. “Those who are doing that to tarnish the image of Gambia just to gain asylum, were doing so at their detriment….If I catch them, I’ll… Read more »

Gambia gay man who fled country after being outed dies

One of the 20 charged with homosexuality last year attempted to flee Gambia after losing his job and being disowned by his family and move to Senegal A Gambia gay man who fled the country after being arrested and outed died yesterday evening (2 October). The man known only as EJ was one of the… Read more »

Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh Calls Homosexuality A Top Global Threat

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on Friday called homosexuality one of the three “biggest threats to human existence.” In an address to the United Nations General Assembly, Jammeh said that homosexuality, greed and obsession with world domination “are more deadly than all natural disasters put together.” “Today, after fighting for our freedom and developing our continent… Read more »

Gambian President Compares Gays To Satanic Rights, Buffalo Sex

The Gambian president has compared gay people to satanic rights, destroying civilization, and buffalo sex. Yahya Jammeh was speaking at the opening of the country’s Parliament in Banjul in the presence of foreign diplomats. While the focus was the government’s zero tolerance against murder, drug trafficking, corruption and tribalism, he also used the speech to… Read more »

Police testify against gay men arrested in Gambia

Trial of 18 men arrested for being gay in Gambia hears how police officers raided a bar in the capital Banjul Police have described how they raided a gay bar in Gambia during a trial of 18 people arrested for being homosexual. Two officers were called by the prosecution to testify against the men who… Read more »

Gambian President Says No to Aid Money Tied to Gay Rights

Gay rights advocates in Africa say Western diplomats who threaten to take away aid money over a government’s mistreatment of gays often hurt the cause rather than help it. Bisi Alimi, a Nigerian LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) advocate based in London, said recent comments made by Gambia President Yahya Jammeh are a good example… Read more »

Two women and a man arrested in the Gambia on gay charges

Two women and a man arrested in the Gambia on gay charges Three people have been arrested in the Gambia this week on indecency charges related to homosexuality. Two women, who are from the Gambia, and one Nigerian man were arrested on charges of indecent gay practices, the Gambian Daily Observer reports. The two women… Read more »

Gambian president: Gay rights ‘destroy culture’

Yahya Jammeh, the President of the Gambia, has said those who think gay rights are human rights in the African state are making a “great mistake”. Jammeh previously threatened to decapitate gays and claims to be able to cure AIDS. The South Africa Press Association reports Jammeh saying: “We know what human rights are. Human… Read more »

Gambian President Renews Attack On Homosexuals

(JollofNews) – Gambian president Yahya Jammeh has yesterday renewed his attacks on homosexuality which he described as an abomination. Jammeh who had previously threatened to behead gays and lesbians in the country said he will not allow any gay and lesbian relations in the Gambia as long as he remains president. Speaking at the swearing-in… Read more »

Gay Gambia News & Reports

Useful website for LGBT Africa: Behind the Mask Gambia information: http://www.mask.org.za/index.php?page=gambia Gambia News (general): http://www.wow.gm/gambia/news 1 The Gambia: Bumster Trouble 10/02 2 Homosexuals and HIV/Aids 12/02 3 Maryland gay man fights deportation to Gambia 8/04 4 In Gambia, AIDS cure or false hope? 3/07 5 How is it to be gay in Gambia now? 6… Read more »