BANJUL, The Gambia — The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice has welcomed the return of approximately $2.5 million from the sale of a United States property linked to former president Yahya Jammeh, while demanding a full public account of the transaction and the exclusive use of the money for victims.
The property in Potomac, Maryland, was bought in 2010 for approximately $3.5 million with funds misappropriated from the Gambian public, according to findings by the United States Department of Justice. It was later forfeited and sold by US authorities.
In a statement issued on September 21, the rights group described the recovery as an important step toward accountability for corruption, abuse of office and human rights violations committed during Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
The organisation also commended the Gambian government, its international partners, victims’ groups and other individuals involved in efforts to recover and return the funds.
The money has been deposited into the Reparations Fund at the Central Bank of The Gambia and placed under the control of the Reparations Commission, according to the statement.
EFSCRJ welcomed that arrangement but insisted that the entire amount must be reserved for victims. It said the money should not be diverted to general government spending or used for any purpose unrelated to reparations.
“This is both a legal and moral obligation upon the Government and the Reparations Commission,” the group said.
It argued that the returned funds could provide victims with financial compensation, medical and psychosocial care, educational assistance, rehabilitation and other support needed to rebuild their lives.
Group Questions Apparent $1 Million Shortfall
Despite welcoming the recovery, EFSCRJ raised concerns about the difference between the property’s reported purchase price and the amount returned to The Gambia.
The organisation said the country appears to have suffered a nominal shortfall of approximately $1 million, as the property was reportedly bought for $3.5 million in 2010 but yielded only $2.5 million about 16 years later.
It added that the real economic loss could be greater once the passage of time and possible increases in property values in Potomac, an affluent suburb of Washington, DC, are considered.
EFSCRJ called on the Ministry of Justice to clarify whether the $2.5 million represents the property’s gross sale price or the net proceeds after expenses and other deductions.
“The Gambian people, and victims in particular, have a right to know how an asset purchased with their resources for approximately US$3.5 million yielded only US$2.5 million after sixteen years,” the group said.
It acknowledged that legitimate costs may have been incurred during the forfeiture, management and sale of the property, but said each deduction must be disclosed and justified.
The rights organisation said the Gambian government’s lack of direct control over the US forfeiture process does not remove its responsibility to obtain and publish a complete account of the transaction.
Ministry Asked to Publish Sale Records
EFSCRJ asked the Ministry of Justice to obtain full records from US authorities, including the property’s independent valuation before sale, its gross selling price, the date and method of sale, and the identity of the agency responsible for handling the transaction.
It also requested the number of bids or offers received and an itemised breakdown of taxes, legal fees, brokerage charges, maintenance expenses and administrative costs.
The group wants officials to disclose whether any payments were made to other claimants, whether US authorities retained part of the proceeds, and whether the $2.5 million is the complete and final amount owed to The Gambia.
According to EFSCRJ, both Gambian and US authorities owe the public a clear explanation of the transaction in the interests of transparency and justice.
“The country must not be allowed to lose approximately US$1 million, or potentially more, without a clear and credible public explanation,” it said.
Reparations Commission Urged to Publish Regular Reports
EFSCRJ also urged the Reparations Commission to make its operations more transparent while protecting victims’ privacy and obtaining their informed consent.
The group called for regular publication of the number and categories of recognised victims, the number who have received reparations, and the types and amounts of support provided.
It also asked the Commission to disclose the total funds received, committed and disbursed, as well as any administrative costs charged to the Reparations Fund. Periodic, independently audited financial reports should also be made public, it said.
The organisation stressed that victims must remain at the centre of the reparations process and that every dalasi recovered from assets linked to Jammeh must be protected and properly accounted for.
“For the victims, there must be justice. For public funds, there must be full accountability,” EFSCRJ said.
