Madi Jobarteh, human rights activist, has joined anti-FGM campaigners in their call for the practice to remain banned in the country.

Mr Jobarteh’s call comes few hours after a proposed bill seeking to repeal a law against FGM in the country passed through first reading at the National Assembly on Monday (4 March).

“A harm and a violation cannot be a matter of choice. It just has to stop. Circumcision or mutilation makes no difference. Just don’t cut! No organ in the woman’s [body] is unclean or unhealthy otherwise Allah would have specifically ordered its removal! #NoToFGM,” he said.

However, pro-FGM campaigners many of whom are religious leaders vowed a “war” on the law that bans the practice as they insist that the practice is religious.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba