Gambian lawmakers are going to hold an extraordinary session on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss a motion to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the controversial sale of the assets of the former president Yahya Jammeh following public outrage caused by an investigative report published by The Republic on April 30.
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The Republic published its third investigation into the sale of the assets of the former dictator during and after the inquiry into his financial dealings and those of his associates. As their lead story on May 5 titled ‘EXPOSÉ ON SALE OF JAMMEH’S ASSETS SHAKES NATION’, a leading Gambia daily The Standard said the story triggered “an explosion of reactions from Gambians outraged by the revelations”.
“These revelations (by The Republic) paint a deeply disturbing picture that threatens to erode public trust in the government’s commitment to justice and transparency,” said TANGO, the umbrella body of the Gambian civil society organisations, on May 8.
After a 22-year rule, Yahya Jammeh reluctantly went into self-imposed exile to Equatorial Guinea, following a shocking election defeat to Adama Barrow. A State investigation into his alleged financial wrongdoings found he had stolen at least $362m, lavishly spent on expensive vehicles, aircraft and real estate.
All his assets were forfeited to the State but the process of recovering his loot has been marred with alleged corruption, with officials of the current administration allegedly selling assets to friends, family and themselves at prices only a fraction of their worth. To the public, information about buyers of these assets, amounts at which they were sold, and the circumstances, is left much to speculation despite repeated questions by journalists, activists and lawmakers.
So far, only $23, 716, 725 was recovered from the sale of his 35 real estate holdings including a vehicle garage, livestock, 5 aircraft, 458 vehicles, 197 tractors, shares in four companies, dividend payments from three companies and valuable items found at his Dunes Resort and Casino.
On Thursday, close to a dozen young people were arrested for holding a peaceful protest demanding, among other things, the release of the names of all the buyers of the former leader’s assets.
The group, which calls itself ‘Gambians Against Looted Assets’ (GALA) and inspired by The Republic’s publication, took to the streets in the capital, Banjul, even though the police denied them permission to do so. A Gambian rights organisation, Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), issued a statement condemning the arrest, “demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the protesters”.
Both EFSCRJ and Gambia Participates issued a statement urging a publication of all relevant information relating to the investigation and sale of the former leader’s assets. The Gambia Participates urged the Ministry of Justice to “take the report of The Republic seriously.”
Meanwhile, under pressure to act, the Gambian lawmakers collected enough signatures to hold an extraordinary session on Wednesday and Thursday over the controversial sale of the former dictator’s assets.
On May 8, 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 in accordance with Standing Order 11(3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly,” said Hon. Tunkara.
“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 is expected to be tabled to hold a 7–member parliamentary committee to investigate the sale of the assets of the former president.
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