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For 22 years, former President Yahya AJJ Jammeh ruled The Gambia with absolute power. During his time in office, he used his position to loot and take control of public resources and build massive personal wealth. After he was removed from power in the 2016 presidential election, the current government established an investigation commission to look into his corrupt financial dealings, and recover some of stolen assets back to the state.
In April, The Republic, an independent investigative outlet, released an exclusive investigation into President Yahya AJJ Jammeh’s assets, exposing how irregularities, possible corruption, and secrecy marred the sales.
The key findings of the investigation revealed that, to date, only $23.7 million ($23,716,725) has been recovered from the sale of his 35 real estate holdings. This includes a vehicle garage, livestock, five aircraft, 458 vehicles, 197 tractors, shares in four companies, dividend payments from three companies, and valuable items found at his Dunes Resort and Casino.
The report also showed that many of Jammeh’s assets were undervalued and sold without proper transparency. The former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Baa Tambedou, his wife, Binta Sompo Ceesay, Minister of Lands, Hamat Bah, and other dignitaries ushered in the sale of some of these assets.
A private firm, Alpha Capital Advisory, was hired to manage the disposal of the assets. However, the firm reportedly received 10% commission, which far exceeds the 3% recommended by the Janneh commission.
Who owns Jammeh’s Assets?
After ex-President Jammeh lost the 2016 presidential election, the new government in 2017 established a commission (Jawneh Commission) to investigate his financial dealings.
The commission discovered that over $362 million of public funds were lavishly spent on luxury cars, aircraft, livestock, and real estate. The commission then recommended that the state seize these assets, sell them following due process of the Law, and channel the proceeds back into state coffers.
Audit Report confirms discrepancies
The Republic’s findings were not entirely new. In 2019, the national Audit Office had flagged serious financial discrepancies in how the Jammeh assets were handled. It uncovered that D22.3 million was missing from the records. The receipt books were not properly stored, the identity of buyers was not revealed, and livestock was sold at deflated prices. However, these findings were buried until The Republic revived them, but this time, the public was interested.
The GALA Protest
The Republic publication sparked public outrage, leading to the formation of GALA (Gambia Against Looted Assets) on May 8, 2025. The youth-led movement staged a peaceful protest despite the police denying them permission.
The peaceful protest was staged in Banjul, calling for transparency and accountability, the release of all names of buyers of the assets, and a full investigation into the sales. Twenty-seven protesters and two journalists were arrested and detained for three days. The detention ignited further anger, leading to nationwide protests against the detention of these youth.
Human rights groups and CSO activists also called for the release of the detained youth. The Gambia Press Union issued a press statement condemning the arrest of two Journalists who were out to do their job. Civil Society Organisations like the Edward Francis Small Centre for Human Rights Justice, Gambia, Participate, and Tango also oppose the arrest of these youth and demand their release unconditionally.
The National Assembly’s Intervention
Under pressure to act, the Gambian lawmakers collected enough signatures to hold an extraordinary session on the 14th and 15th of May 2025, over the controversial sale of the former dictator’s assets.
The majority leader of the House, Billay G. Tunkara, wrote to the Speaker. “In light of recent and deeply concerning revelations regarding the alleged inappropriate sale of assets belonging to the former President, Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, I am compelled to formally request the convening of an Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly by Standing Order 11(3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly,”
“Given the gravity of the matter, which bears significant implications for public accountability, transparency, and national interest, it is imperative that the Assembly urgently convene to deliberate on the issue and take appropriate action as deemed necessary.”
A motion was tabled to hold a 7–member parliamentary committee to investigate the sale of the assets of the former president.
President Barrow’s Decision on the matter
Aware of the growing storm, the President of the Gambia convened an emergency cabinet meeting on May 13, 2025, to address the issue, and on May 14, addressed the nation. He acknowledged the tension sparked by disclosures of some of the assets sold.
“As President of the Republic, I come before you today with sincerity and resolve to address the concerns of our citizens and to dispel any misunderstanding about these assets, which rightfully belong to the Gambian people.”
The President announced that a ministerial task force was established in May 2019, at the recommendation of the Ministry of Justice, to oversee the legal and transparent disposal of the assets in question. The task force, he said, has been reporting to Cabinet regularly. However, recent disclosures by the Ministry of Justice confirmed that several transactions—including the sale of livestock, tractors, and vehicles—occurred during the active proceedings of the Janneh Commission, raising questions about oversight and legality.
He promised to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the sales of these assets. He stressed that the findings of this investigation would be implemented and made public. He added that anyone found culpable would be held accountable without fear or favour.
