President Yahya Jammeh Declares West African Country Of Gambia An Islamic Republic

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh declared the West African country an Islamic Republic Friday in order to break the colonial legacy of the nation. Yahoo! News noted Saturday that the announcement made by the Gambian president came after a political rally that was staged on the coastal village Brufut, which is about 15 kilometers west of Banjul.

"In line with the country's religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state," Jammeh declares before his supporters. "As Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy."

The Gambian leader also announced there will be orders on dress code.

"We will be an Islamic state that would respect the rights of all citizens and non-citizens," he says.

Jammeh added that his decision to declare his country an Islamic state "is not negotiable," as reported by Bloomberg Saturday.

"This announcement should not motivate anyone to rush to enforce any dress code or values to others," the Gambian leader adds.

Meanwhile, Hamat Bah of the National Reconciliation Party disapproved Jammeh's decision.

"There is a constitutional clause that says that Gambia is a secular state," Bah says. "You cannot make such a declaration without going through a referendum."

Reports have revealed that 95 percent of the 1.8 million population of the West African country are Muslims. Despite his decision, the leader reportedly vowed that citizens who are not Muslim can still practice their faith.

"Christians and other religions will be given their own respect. Nobody has the right to interfere with their way of life. I have not appointed anyone as an Islamic policeman," the leader says.

Jammeh became the president of Gambia in 1996. The Gambian leader was re-elected in 2001, 2006 and 2011. He joined the military before he was elected as the president of Gambia.