The Gambia To Leave the Commonwealth

Government statement reads in part "...The Gambia will never be a member of any neo-colonial institution"

The Gambia is to withdraw from the Commonwealth, 48 years after joining.

The west African nation branded the 54-member grouping, which includes the UK and most of its former colonies, a "neo-colonial institution".

The withdrawal was announced on state TV, but no other reasons were given.

Two years ago President Yahya Jammeh accused the UK of backing his political opposition ahead of elections. The UK said it would "very much regret" The Gambia leaving the Commonwealth.