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The Gambia’s National Assembly has passed a bill that makes some homosexual acts punishable by life imprisonment.

Under Gambian law, homosexual acts were already punishable by up to 14 years in prison, applying to both women and men.

According to the Associated Press, a draft bill contains identical language to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, which became law earlier this year.

Alongside Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, The Gambia’s president, Yahya Jammeh, is one of Africa’s most vocal anti-gay leaders.

The bill passed by the National Assembly sees “aggravated homosexuality” punishable by a life sentence, where “aggravated homosexuality” means “repeat offenders” and those living with HIV or AIDS.

The new bill could make life even worse for Gambia’s gay people, said Francois Patuel, West Africa campaigner for Amnesty International.

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