Gambian President Adama Barrow has revealed that the official name of the country would be reverted to the original Republic of Gambia.
Former leader Yahya Jammeh announced that the country had become an Islamic State in 2015, changing it’s name officially to the Islamic Republic of Gambia.
The Gambia is a Muslim majority nation, with over 90% of residents following the faith, but naming it an Islamic country makes it a theocracy rather than a secular democracy.
Barrow, in his first press conference as President, announced that the name would be reverted back to the ‘Republic of Gambia’.
“The rule of the law, that will be the order of the day,” Barrow promised.
“The field will be level for everybody, and in total reconciliation, if people reconcile, that will unite everybody, and we want to hold that line… My government will look at all areas and there will be a complete overhaul of the system,”
Barrow rose to power after winning elections last year, but then had to flee into exile as long time leader Yahya Jammeh refused to relinquish power. He later fled into exile after striking a deal with sub regional body ECOWAS, who had threatened to remove him militarily if he did not leave his position.
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Gambia’s official name will no longer be ‘The Islamic Republic’. It will hold the name of — The Republic of The Gambia. #Gambia pic.twitter.com/OqbFsIypzI
— Adama Barrow (@adama_barrow) January 29, 2017