Proceeds from sale of former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh's US property to be transferred to victims

The Gambian government announced that the sum of $2,573,414.10, obtained from the sale of a mansion in Maryland belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh which was seized on the grounds that it was purchased with corruption proceeds, has arrived in the country.

The Gambian Reparations Commission stated that the funds in question were deposited directly into the Reparations Fund account at the Central Bank of The Gambia and will be used exclusively for payments to victims. Established in 2023, the commission continues its work to redress human rights violations that occurred during Jammeh's rule spanning over two decades.

The US Department of State initiated forfeiture proceedings in 2022 on grounds of corruption for the property, which was purchased through a foundation established by Jammeh's wife. Jammeh was forced to leave office in 2017 following the threat of military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States after he rejected the 2016 election results.

Sirra Ndow, Director of the Alliance for Victim-Centred Organizations (AVLO), stated that this development is an important step taken in the reparation process for victims and survivors. The Jammeh era is remembered with allegations of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.