The president of a country ravaged by poverty and hunger today stood at the podium of the United Nations General Assembly and told the world that gay people and homosexuality are among the three “biggest threats to human existence.”
Yahya Jammeh, the president of the western African nation of Gambia, told dozens of heads of state and top diplomats that homosexuality, greed, and obsession with world domination “are more deadly than all natural disasters put together,” according to the AP:
It’s not the first time the Gambian ruler has used such harsh words. In 2008, he told gays and lesbians to leave the country or have their heads cut off.
Jammeh also has drawn international criticism for his claim he can cure AIDS with an herbal body rub and bananas.
And earlier this year, Jammeh said:
“Homosexuality is anti-humanity. I have never seen homosexual chicken, or turkey. If you are convicted of homosexuality in this country, there will be no mercy for offenders.”
Homosexuality is illegal in Gambia, and punishable by 14 years in prison.
90 percent of the country is Muslim, and one third of Gambia’s citizens live on less than $1.25 USD per day.
Hat tip: Ryan Davis
Image: screenshot via UN webcast