GMC Condemns President’s Plans To Islamanise Gambia

(JollofNews)- Lawyer Mai Ahmed Fatty, exiled opposition leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), has strongly condemned President Yahya Jammeh’s recent declaration of his intention to transform the Gambia into an Islamic state.
Last week, Mr Jammeh during a polical rally in Brufut as part of his annual Dialogue with the People’s Tour, declared his country to be an an Islamic state.
“Gambia’s destiny is in the hands of the Almighty Allah,” Mr Jammeh said.  As from today, Gambia is an Islamic state. We will be an Islamic state that will respect the rights of the citizens.”
He said there would be no restrictions on dress and that other religions would be respected.
But speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday in the Senegalese capital Dakar, Mr Fatty described  President Jammeh’s declaration of transforming the Gambia into an Islamic state as unconstitutional and a violation of the country’s constitution.
The press conference, organised by  Mr Fatty, was aimed at building stronger relations between the Gambia and Senegal and, as well as to discuss real issues confronting the Gambia recently as a nation.
He spoke extensively on a lot issues, such as the relations between the Gambia and Senegal, violation of rights in the Gambia,the 2016 upcoming presidential election, the proposed reforms for the Gambia’s electoral code, President Jammeh’s exclusion from the 2016 presidential race to State House and the GMC’s participation into the upcoming Presidential election.
Further reacting to President Jammeh’s declaration, the lawyer cum politician said despite the fact that he(Mai Fatty) is a Muslim, he is totally against Jammeh’s declaration for the fact that the country’s constitution clearly states that theGambia is a  secular state. He further argued that in order for President Jammeh to be able to transform the Gambia into an Islamic state, there must be a referendum to that effect.
According to him, as a Muslim, he would definitely appreciate it if the Gambia becomes an Islamic state but added that the constitution must be respected by all, no matter what.
“The president has no power to just jump up and make a declaration that is unconstitutional,” he said.
“It is unacceptable in that manner. We must respect and go by the country’s onstitution.
Mr Fatty used the opportunity to commend Killa Ace, the Gambian rapper who who fled into Senegal after he produced a music album critical of President Jammeh and his regime.Killa Ace himself who was present at the press briefing, made aspectacular performance before the audience.