The Gambia said on Tuesday that it would neither decriminalise homosexuality nor review its laws, following weeks of controversy over the issue in the tiny West African state.

In a statement, the government denied widely circulated rumours of plans to soften homosexuality laws in exchange for aid funds.

He said the government continues to be guided by “the norms of its people” and “has no plans to either decriminalise or even entertain a review of laws on homosexuality”.

On May 17 – the international day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia – the EU delegation in The Gambia uploaded posts urging that gay people not be excluded from society.

Talks over revising The Gambia’s constitution, held under Barrow, have also sparked discussion about gay rights in the former British colony of some two million people.