Dr Ismaila Ceesay, the leader of Citizens’ Alliance Party, has renounced his Swedish citizenship two months ahead of the presidential election.

“I am delighted to inform you all that I have officially renounced my Swedish citizenship and met all eligibility criteria to run for President in the December 4 elections,” Dr Ceesay said in a message posted on Facebook. 

“I am looking forward to submitting my nominations papers to the IEC on Tuesday, November 2, for consideration as a presidential candidate.

“We are now more than ever before ready to win the elections and start the process of transforming our country for the benefit of this generation and the next.”

Dr Ceesay added: “The sacrifices we make and continue to make for our country is worth it and we will make the same sacrifices again when the need arises. For us, country comes first before anything else.”

The Gambia’s constitution bars Gambians with dual citizenship from running for the presidency.