By: Nyima Sillah
Sheriff Kijera, rights activist, Tuesday accused the Barrow government of failing to ensure transparency and accountability in the sale of Jammeh’s recovered assets.
Mr Kijera who was former chairman of the Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations was speaking to the Voice during an interview conducted yesterday.
According to him, the Victims Center was never consulted or involved in any negotiations regarding the general sales of Jammeh’s properties. “The only time we had discussions with the Ministry of Justice was about Jammeh’s residence in Maryland, U.S. That sale was estimated at $3 million, of which $1 million was promised as the government’s contribution to the reparations trust fund,” he revealed.
He expressed disappointment that while the government reportedly sold some of Jammeh’s assets valued at nearly D1.4 billion, victims have only received D38 million out of the D237 million dalasi recommended by the TRRC for reparations. “Victims are still owed about D199 million for compensation,” he emphasized, noting that this affected over 1,000 officially recognized victims.
Kijera criticized the lack of transparency in the entire process, alleging that all decisions were made in cabinet, and the President could not excuse himself, as he appointed the ministerial task force and presided over cabinet meetings that made the decisions.
He further questioned the government’s reluctance to disclose a full list of Jammeh’s assets, buyers, sale prices, and legal grounds for disposal, asserting that the public deserved full disclosure on what was sold, what remained, and who benefited.
He cited that an independent commission of inquiry would be the most credible way to investigate the handling of Jammeh’s assets. “People have lost confidence in the National Assembly’s ability to properly investigate, and the President once dismissed the National Audit Office’s report as merely an opinion.”
He disclosed that his institution, The Accountability Project, was consulting with stakeholders to consider legal action against the government for failing to fully disclose Jammeh’s assets.
“The President cannot pretend to be unaware of what transpired. His government has shown a clear lack of seriousness in implementing recommendations from audit and parliamentary reports,” he said. “His recent statements on the issue offered no new information. He simply tried to minimize the damage. But Gambians deserve clarity, not excuses,” Kijera concluded.