Yahya Jammeh assets: Gambia group demands answers

A Gambian youth movement has demanded that President Adama Barrow answer questions about the handling of assets recovered from former dictator Yahya Jammeh, after a parliamentary report raised problems in the sale and disposal of the property.

Gambians Against Looted Assets, known as GALA, asked Barrow on Thursday to respond publicly to the March report, which examined Jammeh's ill-gotten assets and detailed unrecovered funds and corruption in their handling. The group called for accurate records of sales, transfers and disputed or missing goods, and for transparency over beneficiaries.

“Assets recovered in the name of justice must never become another opportunity for private enrichment or political favour,” GALA said.

The president's office and information ministry did not respond to AFP requests for comment.

The Republic newspaper published an investigation in May 2025 into irregularities in the sale of Jammeh's stolen assets, prompting GALA's formation. The United States said last month it was returning $2.5 million to Gambia from the sale of a US mansion that Jammeh and his wife bought with illicit funds.

Jammeh ruled Gambia from 1994 to 2017 and is in exile in Equatorial Guinea. A truth, reconciliation and reparations commission found that up to 250 people were killed by the state during his rule and said there was evidence of extrajudicial killings, torture, kidnappings, witch hunts and other abuses.

GALA's call comes less than two months before a presidential election in which Barrow plans to seek a third term. Jammeh still has many supporters in Gambia who are likely to follow any endorsement he makes.