The Gambia pulls out of Commonwealth

THE Gambia has pulled out of the Commonwealth of Nations, accusing the organisation of "colonialism".

"The government has withdrawn its membership of the British Commonwealth. The Gambia will never be a party to any institution that represents an extension of colonialism," the government said in statement delivered on national television late on Wednesday.

The move marks the first African departure from the group in 10 years. Zimbabwe withdrew its membership in 2003.

The Gambia joined the 54-strong association, mostly made up of former British colonies, in 1965, shortly after gaining independence.

The move is designed to "further cut ties with Britain", regional political analyst Abdou Aine told DPA from Dakar.

According to Gambian government figures, about half of the 100,000 tourists who holiday on the country's sandy shores each year are British.

Despite ongoing reports of human rights violations and limited freedom of the press, the Gambian government has invested heavily in tourism.

Foreign holiday-makers account for about a fifth of the tiny country's economy.

President Yahya Jammeh, who came to power in a 1994 coup, is known for announcing controversial plans and ideas without warning.

Last year, the 48-year-old leader used a national address during a Muslim holiday to announce plans to execute death row inmates. The decision was widely condemned by rights groups and members of the international community, including the British government.

In 2007, Jammeh claimed he could cure HIV and Aids through herbal treatment that requires patients to abandon anti-retroviral therapy.

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