Gambian President says gay people are 'vermin' and should be tackled like malaria-causing mosquitoes
Yahya Jammeh also said 'LGBT can only stand for Leprosy, Gonorrhoea, Bacteria and Tuberculosis' in a speech on Tuesday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Gambia President has described gay people as "vermin" and warned the Government will tackle them in a similar way to malaria-causing mosquitoes, as part of a renewed crackdown on same-sex relationships.
Yahya Jammeh made the threats in a speech on state television to mark the 49th anniversary of The Gambia's independence from Britain on Tuesday.
“We will fight these vermins called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively,” Jammeh said.
“As far as I am concerned, LGBT can only stand for Leprosy, Gonorrhoea, Bacteria and Tuberculosis; all of which are detrimental to human existence,” he added.
His comments come as Nigeria outlawed same-sex relationships and Uganda voted for life imprisonment for some homosexual acts in recent months.
Britain and some other Western nations have threatened to cut aid to governments that pass anti-gay laws.
But Jammeh said his country would defend its sovereignty and Islamic beliefs, and not yield to outside pressure on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.
“We will therefore not accept any friendship, aid or any other gesture that is conditional on accepting homosexuals or LGBT as they are now baptised by the powers that promote them,” he said.
Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 coup, drew strong international criticism after he executed a number of prisoners in 2012.
In September 2013, he used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to attack gays and lesbians, calling homosexuality one of the three “biggest threats to human existence.”
Additional reporting by Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments