The Gambia’s government has lifted a recent directive that required all female civil servants to cover their hair during office hours.

The president, Yahya Jammeh, had personally issued the directive last month, urging female staff to use head ties and wrap their hair. The order sparked resistance from opposition leaders, activists and pro-democracy groups.

In a statement to state radio on Wednesday, the presidency said the directive had been lifted.

In early December Jammeh declared the west African country an Islamic republic. Islam is the religion of the majority of its citizens.

Parliament later passed a bill banning female genital mutilation after Jammeh condemned the practice.

Jammeh seized power in 1994. Civil liberties groups accuse him of gross human rights abuses, including clampdowns on political opponents.