The Gambian authorities affirmed, Tuesday, June 23, that they had no intention of decriminalizing homosexuality, nor even of opening the debate on this sensitive subject in this small English-speaking country of West Africa, after several weeks of intense controversy. In a press release, the government denied rumors suggesting that it intended to soften its legislation in order to continue to benefit from foreign aid, notably European.

"This is false political propaganda intended to easily score points , " government spokesman Ebrima Sakareh said in the statement. The government will continue to be guided, he added, by "the (social) standards of its people" and "has no intention of decriminalizing or even examining its homosexuality legislation" . Homosexual practices are prohibited in The Gambia and can result in heavy prison terms.

This update comes after weeks of pressure on the government following messages posted on social networks by the European Union delegation in this predominantly Muslim country. On 17 May, on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the EU representation in Banjul had asked in particular that members of the LGBT community not be excluded from society.

These messages have fueled much speculation, some believing that Brussels intended to condition the continuation of its aid to better protect the rights of homosexuals. Religious leaders and opposition politicians have publicly expressed their indignation.