THE Gambian government has announced an investigation into the sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, following widespread public concern.
Some of the assets, including livestock and luxury vehicles, were sold off while a panel was still investigating the wealth Jammeh amassed during his 22-year rule.
A newspaper investigation exposed alleged irregularities and an apparent lack of transparency in the sale of the assets, sparking protests organised by young people.
In a televised address on Wednesday night, President Adama Barrow pledged “full transparency” in the probe, saying assets recovered “belong to the people”.
Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 coup, is accused of orchestrating the huge theft of government funds, as well as extensive human rights abuses, including killing and jailing his critics.
The former leader, who in 2017 fled into exile in Equatorial Guinea after losing elections, has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing.
In 2017, President Barrow set up a commission to investigate alleged corruption and financial misconduct by Jammeh during his two-decade-long rule.
The panel, popularly known as the Janneh commission, concluded its findings in 2019 and recommended the forfeiture of assets linked to Jammeh and his associates.
The investigation found that Jammeh had allegedly stolen at least $360m (£270m) and spent lavishly on expensive vehicles, aircraft and real estate.
He is yet comment on the accusations but his supporters in Gambia have dismissed the findings against him as a political witchhunt.
Jammeh’s livestock – including cows, sheep and goats, – farm tractors, vehicles, and other valuables were among the assets earmarked for seizure by the state.
In 2019, President Barrow authorised a ministerial taskforce to oversee the reclaiming of the assets, with regular updates to the cabinet.
But an investigative report published by the local Republic newspaper earlier this month accused senior government officials of selling the assets to themselves, friends and family at below market value.
The report went viral on social media, triggering protests in the capital, Banjul, where dozens of people, including journalists were arrested but later released.