Civil society turns heat on gov’t over Jammeh assets

The organisations are demanding independent investigations into individuals and institutions implicated in the report of the National Assembly Special Select Committee (SSC), which examined the disposal of assets identified following the Janneh Commission’s investigation into the financial dealings of the former president.

At a press conference on Friday, the organisations presented a joint position paper outlining a series of demands and reforms aimed at strengthening accountability and improving the management of recovered public assets.

Reading the statement, Ajie Fatou Bah of the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice said anyone implicated in the parliamentary report should face appropriate action where there is sufficient evidence.

“We call for the prompt, independent, and impartial investigation of all individuals and institutions implicated in the SSC Report and, where sufficient evidence exists, the initiation of appropriate administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings,” the statement said.

The groups are also calling for a nationwide forensic audit of all assets recovered, managed, allocated or disposed following the Janneh Commission’s findings.

They want authorities to publicly disclose comprehensive asset inventories, valuation reports, disposal records, the identities of beneficiaries and the revenue generated from the transactions.

Where the state suffered financial losses, the organisations said authorities should take steps to recover the funds or assets.

They further urged the government to publish a verified national register of all assets recovered from Mr Jammeh, detailing their current status, ownership arrangements, disposal outcomes and revenues generated.

The groups said public access to such information would allow Gambians to know what became of assets recovered after Mr Jammeh left office and help restore confidence in the process.

They also called for wider reforms in the management of public property, including digitising public records, strengthening registries and oversight institutions, and establishing a central, professionally managed authority for asset recovery and management.

According to the organisations, these measures would reduce fragmentation among government institutions, improve record-keeping and create clearer responsibility for recovered state assets.

They also demanded a structured mechanism to ensure the implementation of recommendations contained in the parliamentary report.

“We call for the establishment of a structured implementation framework for the SSC recommendations, including clear timelines and designated responsible institutions,” Bah said.

The demands put renewed pressure on the government to account for the management and disposal of assets recovered from Mr Jammeh, nearly a decade after his departure from power.