US Supports Gambia in Recovering Stolen Monies by Yahya Jammeh

By Bakary Ceesay

Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh

The embassy of the United States in The Gambia said America supports the efforts of the Gambia in recovering monies looted by the former President Yahya Jammeh during his 22-year rule

Commission of Inquiry, alias Janneh Commission, an independent inquiry into the finances and associates of Yahya Jammeh have found that the former ruler has stolen close to U.S$400 million from state funds.

On 12 June, 2019 Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou issued a statement announcing that Gambia will take over all assets and companies belonging to former ruler and his former associate Muhammed Bazzi, a Lebanese business tycoon.

That prompted US government issued a press release reaffirming it stance in helping Gambia to recover the stolen monies by Jammeh.

 Below the press release reads….

The United States government fully supports the Government of The Republic of The Gambia’s investigation into the corruption of former President Yahya Jammeh, and Gambian efforts to recover the ill-gotten gains of Jammeh and his associates.

We commend the efforts of the Commission of Inquiry into the Financial Activities of Public Bodies, Enterprises and Offices, and those of the Ministry of Justice and Office of the Attorney General of The Gambia for their work in uncovering and documenting the kleptocratic actions and mechanisms of the former president and his associates.

We echo President Barrow’s position that “never again” must be the focus of Gambian effort, not only in regards to the abuse of power that led to systematic, state-sanctioned gross violations of human rights, but also in the pervasive corruption that robbed the people of The Gambia and depleted the resources of this country to the benefit of only a very few.

We encourage the government to work closely and expeditiously with the National Assembly to analyze this extensive corruption, and develop strong legislation, strong regulations, and strong rule of law-based investigative and prosecutorial mechanisms to address persons who abuse their positions of public trust to greedily benefit themselves – not only in the past, but also in the present and the future.

Though it will be a long and involved process, the government of the United States is committed to working with the Government of The Gambia to pursue all available legal means to recover the ill-gotten gains of Yahya Jammeh and his associates identified by the Commission of Inquiry.  We encourage other governments and international organizations to render all possible assistance to the Government of The Gambia in this regard.

Background information on U.S. Government efforts to combat the corruption of former Gambian president Jammeh and his associates:

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0388

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm668

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0243