Seedy Njie, deputy speaker of the National Assembly has dismissed a viral video of him as “false and concocted” as he renewed call to reject the bill seeking to repeal law banning female genital mutilation.

The lawmaker described female genital mutilation as a “harmful practice” that must remain abolish in the country

“Citizens, go on and ignore a video published by persons suggesting that I swapped stances on the issue of female genital mutilation following a meeting with Imams.

“I did not meet with any Imam and I also did not meet with any pro-FGM advocates, whether here in London or in The Gambia. My position is this: Female Genital Mutilation is a harmful practice and we must not entertain the repeal of any law. We remain fully committed to the protection of the fundamental rights of women and children in The Gambia,” he said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba