The Gambian government has opened an investigation into the controversial sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, following widespread public concern and protests over alleged corruption, lack of transparency, and abuse of power in the process.
Yahya Jammeh, who ruled The Gambia for 22 years after seizing power in a 1994 coup, fled into exile in Equatorial Guinea in 2017 following a shocking electoral defeat. During his two-decade reign, he was accused of looting state funds, gross human rights abuses, and maintaining a lavish lifestyle. A commission of inquiry established in 2017—popularly known as the Janneh Commission—later concluded that Jammeh had stolen at least $360 million, spending extravagantly on luxury vehicles, real estate, livestock, aircraft, and other personal indulgences.
In response to the commission’s findings, President Adama Barrow authorized a task force to confiscate and sell off Jammeh’s ill-gotten assets. However, a recent investigative report by The Republic, a local Gambian newspaper, revealed that some of these assets—including livestock, luxury vehicles, boats, farm machinery, and parcels of land—were allegedly sold at prices far below market value, often to senior government officials, their families, and close associates. Notably, key items such as Jammeh’s customized Rolls Royce and Bentley were missing from the government’s published list of sold items, raising further suspicions about whether they were secretly shipped to him in exile or sold off without public record.
The revelations have sparked public outrage across the country. Protests erupted in the capital city, Banjul, led largely by young people and activists demanding justice and accountability. Several protesters and journalists were arrested during the demonstrations but were later released. In response to the pressure, the government released a detailed list of sold assets, including buyer names, prices, and dates of sale. However, the list only fueled more anger due to the suspiciously low prices recorded for some high-value items.
President Barrow addressed the nation in a televised speech on Wednesday night, pledging “full transparency” in the ongoing investigation. He admitted that some details of the asset sales were only coming to his attention now and confirmed that both the National Assembly and the National Audit Office were conducting parallel investigations. He promised that their findings would be made public and that any individual or entity found guilty of wrongdoing would face consequences.
Despite these assurances, opposition figures and civil society groups remain skeptical. Yayah Sanyang, an opposition Member of Parliament, criticized the decision to let parliament lead the investigation, calling instead for an independent probe, as the legislative body is heavily dominated by ruling party loyalists. The Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice, a prominent rights organization, echoed these calls and demanded that all ongoing sales be frozen immediately until a thorough, independent investigation is completed.
The scandal also follows a similar pattern seen internationally. In 2022, the United States Justice Department seized a luxurious mansion in Potomac, Maryland, which was allegedly purchased by Jammeh using stolen Gambian state funds. According to U.S. authorities, Jammeh had acquired at least 281 properties and operated more than 100 bank accounts worldwide during his time in power.
As the Gambian people demand justice and clarity, the scandal over the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s seized assets has cast a long shadow over President Barrow’s administration, raising urgent questions about governance, accountability, and the legacy of impunity in the post-Jammeh era.
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