By Nelson Manneh
President Adama Barrow is facing mounting criticism and public outrage after acknowledging for the first time that he was unaware of certain transactions involving the sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, raising troubling questions about oversight, accountability, and possible corruption at the highest levels of his government.
The criticism intensified on Thursday, a day after Barrow’s televised address in which he assured Gambians that an investigation would be launched and that all those found wanting in the unauthorized sale of Jammeh’s assets would be held accountable. But the speech, delivered in the wake of a damning investigative report by The Republic and a wave of nationwide protests, did little to calm the storm.
“We are not asking for speeches—we are demanding justice,” said Saibo Camara, spokesperson for Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), during a press conference in Banjul. “This is a betrayal of public trust. These assets were taken in the name of justice. That they may now be looted again, this time under democratic rule, is unacceptable.”
GALA, one of the most vocal civil society groups formed in response to the asset sales scandal, has called for immediate action and full transparency. The group’s demands include publishing detailed records of all seized assets, establishing an independent investigative body, and prosecuting all those found to be involved in what they described as a “systematic looting operation under the guise of state power.”
“This government has failed in its oversight responsibilities,” Camara said. “The president’s own admission that he only recently discovered that some properties had been sold—during or shortly after the Janneh Commission—is not just alarming. It is a sign of gross negligence, if not complicity.”
Background and Context
In 2017, shortly after Yahya Jammeh was forced into exile, the Barrow administration established the Janneh Commission to investigate the financial activities of the former president and his associates. The commission uncovered a web of corruption and recommended the seizure of numerous assets—including luxurious homes, land, vehicles, and businesses—illegally acquired during Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
A task force was set up to manage and dispose of those assets, with the intention of recovering state funds. However, years later, The Republic’s report, titled “The Assets of Gambia’s Former Dictator Go for a Song,” revealed that many properties were sold at questionable prices, under opaque processes, and with no clear trace of the proceeds. In one instance, a property valued at over D900,000 was sold without proper records or public disclosure.
The president’s failure to monitor the sales—some of which took place while the commission was still sitting—has ignited a political firestorm and shaken public confidence in the Barrow administration’s commitment to transparency and justice.
“The looting of our national assets in the name of justice is a betrayal that cannot be ignored,” said Camara. “These sales happened under the authority of the state. If the president didn’t know, then who did? And why haven’t they been held accountable?”
A Call for Independent Oversight
Camara said GALA welcomes the President’s mention of the National Assembly and National Audit Office but stressed that these institutions have limitations and operate on lengthy timelines. “What is needed now is swift executive action. We cannot rely on political committees run by those too close to the ruling party. You cannot be both player and referee.”
In addition to demanding transparency and legal accountability, GALA has condemned what it describes as “state intimidation tactics” in response to peaceful protests.
“We reject and condemn the illegal arrest of our members by the Gambia Police Force,” Camara said. “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right, not a crime. Targeting citizens who are standing up for transparency and justice is a blatant abuse of power. We will not be intimidated.”
The Broader Crisis
The scandal over Jammeh’s assets has added to growing concerns about governance under Barrow, who came to power in 2017 on promises of reform and accountability. With presidential elections looming in 2026, critics say this crisis may prove to be a turning point.
“This is a defining moment for President Barrow and for our democracy,” Camara said. “The people of The Gambia will not be pacified by speeches. We demand swift, transparent, and uncompromising action.”
He urged citizens, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant and engaged. “It is not enough to hope for change—we must be the change. We cannot remain passive while a few individuals exploit our national wealth for their own benefit.”
GALA vowed to continue organizing, protesting, and exposing wrongdoing. “Together, we will ensure that justice is not just spoken—but served,” Cam
