Gambia Launches Investigation into Sale of Former President Jammeh's Assets

The Gambian government has announced an investigation following allegations of irregularities in the sale of seized assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh. President Adama Barrow has pledged transparency and accountability as protests erupted over the perceived undervaluation of items sold.

The Gambian government has officially launched an investigation into the recent sale of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh, driven by growing public concern and protests in the capital city of Banjul. Significant assets, including luxury vehicles, boats, and livestock, were allegedly sold off during a time when investigations were ongoing into the wealth amassed by Jammeh during his 22-year regime.

Reports from a local newspaper unveiled irregularities in the sale process, leading to public demonstrations, particularly among the youth. President Adama Barrow addressed the nation on Wednesday, assuring citizens that the inquiry will be thorough and transparent. He emphasized that the confiscated assets rightfully belong to the Gambian people.

Jammeh, who captured power in a 1994 coup, is accused of stealing approximately $360 million in state funds and committing numerous human rights abuses. Now residing in exile in Equatorial Guinea since losing elections in 2017, he continues to deny allegations of misconduct.

In 2017, Barrow established a commission—known as the Janneh commission—to investigate corruption and financial misconduct linked to Jammeh. The commission's findings in 2019 recommended the seizure of assets attributed to him and his associates. These included a collection of luxury vehicles, farm equipment, and livestock, all purportedly acquired through illicit means.

Despite the government's established task force meant to oversee asset recovery, a recent investigative report has claimed that senior officials engaged in selling the assets at unreasonably low prices, benefiting themselves and their associates. The report prompted widespread public dissatisfaction, resulting in a surge of demonstrations and calls for a fair investigation.

As pressure mounted, the government released a comprehensive inventory of assets that had been sold, which raised further concerns as certain luxury vehicles, like Jammeh's customized Rolls Royce and Bentley, went unaccounted for. Many questioned the integrity of the sales process, especially given the lack of clarity surrounding selling prices.

In his address, President Barrow revealed that he was himself unaware of many details surrounding the sales and declared a commitment to ensuring full accountability for any misconduct uncovered during the investigation. He announced that both parliament and the National Audit Office would be conducting independent inquiries.

Opposition figures, however, have expressed skepticism regarding the investigation's integrity, calling for an independent probe due to the potential bias within the parliamentary committee. Activists from groups such as the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice have demanded an immediate halt to all sales involving seized assets until clarity and accountability are achieved.

In a notable parallel, the United States has previously seized a lavish mansion owned by Jammeh in Maryland, asserting that it was purchased with stolen public funds. Their investigation revealed that Jammeh had amassed a portfolio of over 280 properties and maintained more than 100 private bank accounts during his rule.

In this climate of heightened scrutiny and demands for justice, Gambians await the outcome of the inquiry with hope for transparency and accountability in the leadership of their country.