#THEGAMBIA: Female Genital Mutilation Banned

[world politics news]

The Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh has banned female genital mutilation saying it is not required in Islam.

The announcement at a rally was reportedly met with a huge applause.

Three-quarters of women in the mostly Muslim country have had the procedure, according to Unicef.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#GAMBIA: Barrow Takes Office As President After Jammeh Accepts Election Results, Flees

[world politics news]

Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow, has held his first press conference in the capital Banjul on Saturday, calling for democratic reforms and a free media. He took office Thursday after Pres. Yahya Jammeh left for exile in Equatorial Guinea. Jammeh had earlier refused to recognize the Dec. 1 election in which Barrow was elected by a small margin. He had ruled Gambia for 22 years. Barrow has called for unity and reconciliation to reform and develop the country through democratic means.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Pres. Adama Barrow

#GAMBIA: Parliament Extends Pres. Jammeh's Term By 90 Days, Declares State Of Emergency

[world politics news]

Gambia's parliament today extended Pres. Yahya Jammeh's term, which is due to end on Thursday following his defeat in elections, by 90 days. It also approved his decision to declare a 90-day state of emergency in the tiny West African state. Regional leaders have threatened to use military force to oust Jammeh if he refuses to hand power to President-elect Adama Barrow on Thursday.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GAMBIA: Dictator Who Conceded Election Tries To Take Back Concession

[world politics news]

Long-reigning Gambian Dictator Yahya Jammeh, who last week surprisingly conceded to his rival after a decisive victory, is now taking back his concession and is challenging the results. Some irregularities have narrowed his loss to newcomer Adama Barrow to 4 percentage points, but regional and world leaders are condemning his reversal, and say it could spark bloodshed, as the army splits into factions.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GAMBIA: Authoritarian Pres. Jammeh Will Step Down After Defeat by Upstart Candidate

[world politics news]

Yahya Jammeh, an authoritarian president who ruled for 22 years, has confirmed he will voluntarily step down after being beaten in an election by property developer Adama Barrow. "I will help him work towards the transition," Jammeh said on state TV, after speaking to the president-elect by telephone. Barrow, 51, who has never held political office, won last Thursday's election with 45.5% of the vote.

#GAMBIA: Pressure Mounts On Pres. Jammeh To Leave Office After 21 Years; Remains Defiant

[world politics news]

Pres. Yahya Jammeh has warned his opponents and critics that his regime is here to stay and would triumph over any challenges. Jammeh has been in power since 1994 and has vowed to rule the Gambia for a billion years. However, pressure is mounting on him after a series of unprecedented opposition protests demanding an end to his rule. He blames Western interference for the protests. He is widely condemned for threatening to kill homosexuals in Gambia.

#GAMBIA: Pres. Jammeh Threatens To "Slit Throats" Of Gays Who Want To Marry

[world politics news]

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has threatened to kill any homosexuals in his country. "If you do it here, I will slit your throat," he said. "If you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again, and no white person can do anything about it." In December, the European Union cut off  €13 million of humanitarian aid for The Gambia due to its poor human rights record.

#GAMBIA: Pres. Secretly Signed Law In October That Punishes Homosexual Acts With Life In Prison

[world politics news]

The president of Gambia signed a bill into law calling for life imprisonment for some homosexual acts, part of a trend of anti-gay laws in Africa. The Associated Press discovered the bill's text, which shows President Yahya Jammeh signed it on Oct. 9, though no government officials have yet publicly notified the country of the new law.