By: Fatou Krubally
Civil society actors and rights groups have intensified calls for the full disclosure of all documents related to the Janneh Commission. This followed revelations made by Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay that the commission did not submit a list of buyers and sellers of former President Yahya Jammeh’s forfeited assets.
On Tuesday, 20th May 2025, Dr. Ceesay was featured on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, where he stated that the Janneh Commission had submitted only a comprehensive report, but not the list of transactions related to Jammeh’s assets. That statement has since sparked widespread criticisms and demands for accountability.
In public statements, Gambia Against Looted Assets (GALA) and Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) condemned the government’s handling of the matter, describing the asset list published on 11th May 2025 as misleading and unauthentic.
“We totally reject the list that was published… We call on the government to publish the full list, comprehensive report presented to the government, and all other relevant documents of public interest,” remarked GALA spokesperson Omar Camara. The group also vowed to mobilize nationwide protests if the demands were not met.
Adding his voice, to the outcry, rights activist Madi Jobarteh questioned the whereabouts of the Commission’s appendices, which were repeatedly referenced in the published volumes of the report. Jobarteh cited Volume 1 and 2, where the report mentions “Appendix 1” containing the “Report on the disposal of vehicles and other movable assets” and “Bank Statements from auction proceeds.” Volume 4 also references additional appendices, including those related to Jammeh’s charities and companies.
“The Ministry of Justice only published the volumes but left out Volume 4 and the appendices,” Jobarteh noted. “Without these attachments, transparency is severely compromised.”
With mounting scrutiny, civil society groups insist the state must urgently clarify the status of the missing documents and release the full report as originally submitted by the commission.
