Gambia Government probes controversial sale of ex-President’s wealth

The Gambian government has opened an investigation into the sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh following public concern over irregularities and a lack of transparency.

The investigation comes after a local newspaper revealed that some luxury cars, livestock, and other valuables were sold while a panel was still examining Jammeh’s wealth accumulated during his 22-year rule.

In a televised address, President Adama Barrow promised "full transparency" in the probe, emphasizing that the recovered assets "belong to the people."

The sales reportedly included cows, sheep, goats, boats, farm machinery, vehicles, and parcels of land, with some items sold at prices many view as suspiciously low.

The former leader, who seized power in a 1994 coup and fled into exile in Equatorial Guinea in 2017 after losing elections, has been accused of stealing at least $360 million (Sh46.5 billion)and abusing human rights.

In 2017, Barrow set up the Janneh commission to investigate Jammeh’s alleged corruption, which recommended the forfeiture of assets linked to him and his associates.

Despite these efforts, a recent investigative report accused senior government officials of selling seized items to themselves, friends, and family below market value.

The report sparked protests in the capital, Banjul, where dozens were briefly arrested.

Following public pressure, the government published a list detailing the assets sold, including buyers, prices, and sale dates.

However, some luxury cars like Jammeh’s customised Rolls-Royce and Bentley were missing from the list, and it remains unclear if they were sold or shipped to him in exile.

The justice ministry defended the sales, stating they followed a "legally grounded process" and were carried out "within the confines of the law and in the public interest."

President Barrow revealed he only recently learned of some sales during a cabinet meeting and said parliament and the National Audit Office are conducting their own investigations.

"Their findings will be made public, and my government will enforce their recommendations to address the shortcomings discovered and hold accountable any individual or entity found culpable," he said.

Despite the assurances, opposition figures and rights groups remain skeptical.

Opposition MP Yayah Sanyang called for an independent probe, saying parliament is "full of ruling party loyalists."

The Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice has urged the president to take responsibility and halt all sales of seized assets.

In 2022, the United States seized a mansion in Maryland linked to Jammeh, noting he had acquired at least 281 properties and over 100 bank accounts during his time in office.