The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Gambia: No Room for Gays

Alhagie Jobe

19 May 2008


President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, on Thursday, gave less than 24 hours (until last week Friday) ultimatum to homosexuals, drug dealers, thieves and other criminals, to leave The Gambia or face serious consequences if caught.

The president equally warned all those who harbour such individuals to kick them out of their compounds, noting that a mass patrol will be conducted on the instructions of the IGP and the director of the Gambia Immigration Department to weed bad elements in society. "Any hotel, lodge or motel that lodges this kind of individuals will be closed down, because this act is unlawful. We are in a Muslim dominated country and I will not and shall never accept such individuals in this country".

He stated that a law is in place regarding this unlawful acts tougher than the Iranian laws and warned those involve in this infamous activities to desist from them. He maintained that foreigners are highly welcome into The Gambia, but not bad elements.

The Gambian leader made this remarks on Thursday at the Buffer Zone ground in Tallinding, while addressing thousands of supporters at a victory celebration rally, as part of the 'Dialogue with the People Tour'. Opportunities for youths engaging skilled jobs top the agenda of the meeting.

President Jammeh said a lot opportubities have been provided by his administration, but yet few have been utilised by Gambians. He pointed to the public markets within KM which are dominated by foreigners, saying "all stores belonging to Gambians and rented to forigners would be seized. We are tired of investing for only foreigners to the benefits. Today, look at the NYSS as compared to when it was newly created; Gambians have ran away from it and we provide a number of young people people for skilled training. This means that Gambians are difficult to help," he said.

The president called for attitudinal change without which poverty would remain elusive. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the attitude of Gambians and urged them to make the best use of the opportunities provided by the government. "Today, the highest concentration of foreigners is in the KM. Government from 1994 to date has invested over US$100 million in projects, but 95% of the bebefits are enjoyed by foreigners," he said.

President Jammeh then reiterated his back to the land call to enable the country achieve food self-sufficiency and called on Gambians to change their attitudes and work towards national development.

Yankuba Touray, the secretary of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Asembly Matters, highlighted the importance of the back to the land call.

"If the call [president's call] was answered at that time, the case would not have been what it is today".

He called on parents to encourage their children to engage in skilled jobs, noting that governmnet cannot employ everybody.

Yankuba Colley, the mayor of KMC, handed over a cheque for D311,000 and D202,000 to SoS Ismaila Sambou as a counterpart contribution for the transformation of Charle's Jow Junior School into a senior secondary school and for a road project in Serrekunda.

Mayor Colley assured the president of his council's support at all times.

Other speakers at the rally included Ebrima Badjie, the Alkalo of Tallinding, Babou Sonko, APRC ward chairman, Amie Jatta, a women mobiliser.

At the end of the ceremony, President Jammeh, Yama Njie, an APRC supporter, Momodou Torro Darboe, a nominated councillor at KMC, Aji Rohey Sanyang, a cleaner at KMC, Edrissa Njie, manager of KMC cleansing services, Banjul Breweries and The Gambia Police Force were awarded certificates for their outstanding efforts towards the cleanliness of the municipality.

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AllAfrica - All the Time
Author: Dr. OHanlan
Wed May 21 00:30:28 2008

Gambians should watch out that their leader is out of step with the rest of the world in his condemnation of gays. He stands in the way of progress for the country as others might see Gambia as ignorant as he is. The American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, and American Psychoanalytic Association confirmed that sexual orientation is natural, biologically induced, morally neutral, immutable, neither contagious nor learned, and has no relation to an individual's ability to form deep and lasting relationships, to parent children, to work, or to contribute to society; and endorsed civil marriage… [Read Full Text]

Author: bamaba33
Wed May 21 14:59:39 2008

Go to hell the so-called Dr, what is it you have to tell to Gambian people about their president. Do you think your so-called progress is what dears to civilized nations like ours. what is it you think of America, A COUNTRY THAT BELIEVE IN NOTHING BUT a state that propagate insanity like GAYs and its like. We need not to tell you Islam and all its teaching is against homosexuals a behaviour that completely demonstrate how degraded some nations and societies are. Shut UP!

Author: bamaba33
Wed May 21 15:00:34 2008

Go to hell the so-called Dr, what is it you have to tell to Gambian people about their president. Do you think your so-called progress is what dears to civilized nations like ours. what is it you think of America, A COUNTRY THAT BELIEVE IN NOTHING BUT a state that propagate insanity like GAYs and its like. We need not to tell you Islam and all its teaching is against homosexuals a behaviour that completely demonstrate how degraded some nations and societies are. Shut UP!

Author: boxon
Thu May 22 05:05:04 2008

This is in response to the so-call Dr.Gambia is a muslim nation and most of them value their religion dearly. Homosexuality is one of the un-natural acts that the Quran clearly warned us not to engaged in.Most homosexuals are foreigners who come to the gambia to exploit poor young children by giving them gifts in exchange for sexual favours.I strongly agreed with the president for taking this hardline stand, a stand that will create a better society based on the teaching of the Quran.Gambia maybe poor but we are better off poor than living in a immoral and dirty society… [Read Full Text]

Author: The Gambian
Thu May 22 09:56:35 2008

The so-call doctor and his useless citations of mad psychologist should close their mouths. As far as the Gambia is concern,both Christians and Muslims, no gay or whatever they are called would be tolerated here. If development and progress must be accompanied by such vices, then we prefer no to join in such development. According to the association of God fearing academics, sexual orientation is hetrosexual but people can fashion it to defy nature.Humans are at the point of diminishing return where materialism will make them worst than the so call lower animals. May our homeland be saved from such… [Read Full Text]

Author: carpepax
Wed May 21 05:16:19 2008

While there are no perfect people on this earth, I congratulate President Jammeh on knowing that, while his country may be hurting in many different ways, allowing free reign to those who break the laws of God and nature will not only hinder further progress, it will begin an undermining that will destroy it. In the comments by OHanlan, he references four American associations. As an American I will not bother to check ~ he is probably right. The homosexual lobby and movement have been tearing apart our country from within for a very long time, and with the active… [Read Full Text]

Author: john_seckan
Wed May 21 14:38:03 2008

I am not a real supporter of President Jammeh, but I am really in support of his initiative to fight against gays and homosexuals. These type of creatures I would call them are not good in any society and MUST never be entertained in any God fearing society. BRAVO Mr. President you have taken the bull by the horn. By this I mean, you have taken the bold step to kick against what the super powers are legalising. They kick against the use of drugs, but encourage gayism which can lead to AIDS. DOWN WITH GAYISM and BRAVO TO PRESIDENT… [Read Full Text]

Author: stevo989244528
Thu May 22 11:57:49 2008

I wonder how many gays will be running for their lives. President Jammeh a desperate man indulging in a divide and rule politics...while he appeases his Iranian masters...desperate....desperate.....Let us campaign for the law to come after you one day.

See all comments (17).



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