- Two suspected gay Spanish tourists - Pere Joan, 56, and Juan Monpserratrusau, 54 - were arrested and detained by Gambian police in Kotu, 10 km from the capital Banjul.
The Spaniards were accused of attempting to woo local taxi drivers into homosexuality. The drivers agreed to the men's demands, but informed the police who later rounded them up at a tourist resort.
If found guilty, the men who could face up to 14 years in prison. They were reportedly receiving visits from the Spanish consul to The Gambia who assured them of his "full support."
Last month, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh ordered homosexuals to quit within 24 hours before he "cut off their heads." Jammeh also threatened to legislate "stricter laws than Iran" on homosexuality.
President Jammeh warned hotel and lodge owners against providing shelter to homosexuals on the pretext that homosexuality must not be condoned in his country of "believers and civilized people."
Mr Jammeh's statement has been widely welcomed in a predominantly Muslim nation, especially among religious scholars. He has however received bashing from gay and human rights activists who ordered him to withdraw the threats and guarantee the rights and security of gays and lesbians.
Economists feared the consequences of the arrest and detention on the West African country's economy. A huge chunk of the economy depends on the country's booming tourism industry, which also provides foreign exchange and employment.
In February, a number of Senegalese homosexuals escaped further persecution and fled to the neighbouring Gambia after they were arrested and detained for taking part in a "gay wedding" in the outskirts of the capital Dakar. Jammeh's fired threats have reportedly forced Senegalese homosexuals to flee to Mauritania.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español