Gambian President who threatened to ‘slit throats’ of gay people loses re-election
Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, one of the most violently homophobic people in power, has lost the Gambian presidential election.
Jammeh served as Gambia’s president for 22 years but lost the election to Adama Barrow with 45.5% of the votes.
According to Gay Star News, Jammeh previously threatened to have any gay person murdered in Gambia, specifically by slitting their throats.
He also referred to gay people as “vermin,” saying they should be dealt with like they are mosquitos. He also claimed that he could cure AIDS with herbs and bananas, but only on Mondays and Tuesdays.
During a 2013 speech at the UN, he described homosexuality as the “biggest threat to human existence” and, in 2014, signed in a law that jailed anyone who was convicted of ‘aggravated homosexuality’.
President-elect Adama Barrow worked and studied in the UK for several years before returning to his home country and running for president.
He has vowed to improve the country’s economy, but no word on his LGBT stance.
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