By: Fatou Krubally
Social and political analyst, Professor Yerro Mballow has accused the Barrow Administration of monopolizing the Janneh Commission report, saying the government failed to treat it as a national asset and undermined efforts for transparency and accountability.
In a scathing assessment, Prof. Mballow argued that the report meant to provide answers on the financial dealings of former President Yahya Jammeh was never shared openly with the public or the National Assembly until public pressure mounted. According to him, the secrecy has raised serious concerns over the fairness and completeness of the government’s white paper.
“The report should have been treated as a national property,” he said. “Instead, it was hidden until investigative reports exposed irregularities that forced the government to act.”
Mballow questioned whether Jammeh’s assets were sold and disposed of transparently, and whether selective justice or favouritism tainted the commission’s recommendations. He also cast doubt on the integrity of the ministerial taskforce chaired by former Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou.
“For 22 years in power, are we to believe Jammeh owns nothing personally not even from his salary, per diems, or gifts?” he asked.
The professor called on the National Assembly and political parties to step up, saying the executive has failed in its legal and moral duties. He added that had lawmakers convened an extraordinary session in 2019 to scrutinize the report, much of the current confusion and mistrust could have been avoided.
“The government, with the help of some irresponsible MPs, has plundered Jammeh’s assets and wasted public resources through failed commissions,” he said. “They are the biggest obstacles to good governance and sustainable development in this country.”
Commenting on the National Assembly’s recently established select committee, Mballow urged members to act impartially and in the public interest, warning that the nation is at a crossroads.
“Produce a transparent and accountable report or perish the nation through reckless handling of public matters,” he warned.
