President Barrow promises transparency as protests escalate over alleged corruption in asset sales that occurred under ongoing investigations.
**Gambia Launches Inquiry into Sale of Former Leader's Assets Amid Public Outcry**
**Gambia Launches Inquiry into Sale of Former Leader's Assets Amid Public Outcry**
The Gambian government is scrutinizing the sale of luxury cars, livestock, and boats belonging to ex-President Yahya Jammeh following reports of irregularities.
In a significant turn of events, the Gambian government has initiated an inquiry into the questionable sale of assets that were confiscated from former President Yahya Jammeh, amid growing public concerns over transparency and accountability. This move comes in the wake of an investigation by a local newspaper, which highlighted potential misconduct involving senior government officials who reportedly sold Jammeh’s luxury vehicles, livestock, and boats at prices significantly below market value, often to their acquaintances.
The findings have sparked protests, particularly among youth in the capital city, Banjul, prompting President Adama Barrow to deliver a televised address vowing "full transparency" in the ongoing investigation. He declared that the assets in question "belong to the people."
Jammeh, who led a coup in 1994 and governed for 22 years, is accused of amassing a personal fortune through corruption and is implicated in numerous human rights abuses. Though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing, his supporters have labeled the investigations as politically motivated attacks.
Since Barrow took office in 2017, a commission known as the Janneh Commission has been examining the alleged misconduct during Jammeh's administration. This panel concluded its report in 2019, revealing that Jammeh illicitly enriched himself by approximately $360 million (£270 million) and recommended the seizure of his assets.
The inquiry has recently taken an urgent turn as a recent report accused government officials of being involved in the under-the-table sale of seized items. This revelation ignited public backlash, resulting in some protesters being briefly detained. In response to the mounting pressure, the government released a comprehensive list detailing sold items, including vehicles and livestock, yet notable assets such as Jammeh's customized Rolls Royce and Bentley were conspicuously absent.
The Gambian justice ministry asserted that the sales followed legal protocols, although no specific justification for the low sale prices was provided. During his address, President Barrow disclosed an ongoing cabinet discussion about the asset sales, claiming he was discovering certain details for the first time. He assured the public that both the National Audit Office and parliament would conduct parallel investigations, with findings to be made public.
However, skepticism remains among activists and opposition members who advocate for an independent examination, expressing distrust towards parliament, which they believe is compromised by allegiances to the ruling party. Yayah Sanyang, an opposition parliamentarian, criticized the investigative setup, favoring an external inquiry instead.
Additionally, the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice has demanded that the government halt all sales of confiscated assets until the investigation yields credible results. The U.S. recently confiscated one of Jammeh’s opulent properties in Maryland, believed to have been purchased with misappropriated funds during his presidency.
The matter highlights persistent issues of governance, transparency, and the pursuit of justice in Gambia’s evolving democracy, as efforts to confront the legacy of Jammeh’s rule continue.
The findings have sparked protests, particularly among youth in the capital city, Banjul, prompting President Adama Barrow to deliver a televised address vowing "full transparency" in the ongoing investigation. He declared that the assets in question "belong to the people."
Jammeh, who led a coup in 1994 and governed for 22 years, is accused of amassing a personal fortune through corruption and is implicated in numerous human rights abuses. Though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing, his supporters have labeled the investigations as politically motivated attacks.
Since Barrow took office in 2017, a commission known as the Janneh Commission has been examining the alleged misconduct during Jammeh's administration. This panel concluded its report in 2019, revealing that Jammeh illicitly enriched himself by approximately $360 million (£270 million) and recommended the seizure of his assets.
The inquiry has recently taken an urgent turn as a recent report accused government officials of being involved in the under-the-table sale of seized items. This revelation ignited public backlash, resulting in some protesters being briefly detained. In response to the mounting pressure, the government released a comprehensive list detailing sold items, including vehicles and livestock, yet notable assets such as Jammeh's customized Rolls Royce and Bentley were conspicuously absent.
The Gambian justice ministry asserted that the sales followed legal protocols, although no specific justification for the low sale prices was provided. During his address, President Barrow disclosed an ongoing cabinet discussion about the asset sales, claiming he was discovering certain details for the first time. He assured the public that both the National Audit Office and parliament would conduct parallel investigations, with findings to be made public.
However, skepticism remains among activists and opposition members who advocate for an independent examination, expressing distrust towards parliament, which they believe is compromised by allegiances to the ruling party. Yayah Sanyang, an opposition parliamentarian, criticized the investigative setup, favoring an external inquiry instead.
Additionally, the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice has demanded that the government halt all sales of confiscated assets until the investigation yields credible results. The U.S. recently confiscated one of Jammeh’s opulent properties in Maryland, believed to have been purchased with misappropriated funds during his presidency.
The matter highlights persistent issues of governance, transparency, and the pursuit of justice in Gambia’s evolving democracy, as efforts to confront the legacy of Jammeh’s rule continue.
