By: Fatou Krubally
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has accused the government of President Adama Barrow of deliberately concealing key information on the sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, warning that public trust is at risk.
In a statement issued on Monday, the UDP said the government had “failed to deliver a comprehensive and transparent record of buyers and prices” despite promising full disclosure following recent protests. “The government’s failure to release a full and accurate list undermines the fight against corruption and signals a lack of political will,” the statement noted.
The controversy followed youth-led demonstrations in May 2025 by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), which pressured President Barrow into pledging full transparency on Jammeh’s confiscated assets. But the UDP noted that the list released by the Ministry of Justice “omitted critical details,” including the names of high-profile buyers and justifications for assets allegedly sold below market value.
“While some vehicles were listed, such as a Hummer H3 reportedly sold for $135,000 against a reserve price of $80,000, other key items like Jammeh’s Rolls-Royce and Bentley remain unaccounted for,” the UDP said.
The party further criticised the government’s reliance on a National Assembly inquiry, calling it a “pretext for delay.” According to the statement, “The Ministry of Justice has failed to provide the promised breakdowns from Augustus Prom Audit Tax Advisory and the Sheriff Division, raising suspicion of a stalling tactic.”
The UDP stressed that corruption “cannot be addressed through partial disclosures and slow-moving inquiries,” and reiterated three key demands: the immediate publication of all buyer names and sale details, independent oversight of the entire disposal process, and prosecution of any officials involved in undervalued sales or conflicts of interest.
“The Gambia’s transition from dictatorship will remain incomplete if the looted wealth is not fully accounted for,” the UDP concluded. “If the Barrow government cannot transparently manage Jammeh’s assets, it cannot be trusted to tackle broader systemic corruption.”
The UDP urged citizens to remain vigilant as the National Assembly inquiry continues.
