By Kebba AF Touray
The National Assembly on Thursday approved the selection of a seven-member parliamentary special select committee tasked with investigating the assets of former President Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, following an extraordinary session marked by intense debate over the composition and leadership of the committee.
The motion was introduced by Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, Majority Leader and representative for Kantora, who told the plenary that the selection committee had concluded its scrutiny and proposed the following members for the investigative team: Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay (Chairperson), Hon. Madi Ceesay (Vice Chairperson), Hon. Suwaibou Touray, Hon. Kebba Lang Fofana, Hon. Omar Jammeh, Hon. Alhagie Mbowe, and Hon. Sheriff Sarr.
As the floor was opened for debate, several lawmakers expressed strong reservations, particularly over the appointment of Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, member for Old Yundum and a National People’s Party (NPP) representative, as chairperson of the committee. Critics argued that Ceesay’s affiliation with the ruling party poses a potential conflict of interest, given that the inquiry relates to state-managed assets and decisions taken under the current administration.
Multiple lawmakers proposed that Hon. Suwaibou Touray, member for Wuli East and a member of an opposition party that has not held governmental positions in the Barrow administration, be appointed instead. The general sentument shared was that Touray has the experience and neutrality required for such a sensitive investigation.
Gender representation also featured prominently in the discussions. Legislators criticized the complete absence of female members in the proposed committee, arguing that inclusivity and gender balance are fundamental to representative governance. Some of them said the Assembly cannot keep excluding women from critical national processes.
Concerns over broader party representation were also raised, with opposition lawmakers emphasizing the need for balance and impartiality. Given that this inquiry touches on actions under the current government, it was the argument of some of them that the committee must not be dominated by those aligned with the executive.
Despite the objections and recommendations for changes, the Speaker proceeded to a vote. Out of the total lawmakers present, 24 voted in favor of the motion, 16 voted against, and one abstained. The committee, as originally proposed, was therefore approved without alteration.
The final list of members tasked with investigating the controversial disposal of Jammeh’s seized assets stands as follows: Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay – Chairperson, Hon. Madi Ceesay – Vice Chairperson, Hon. Suwaibou Touray – Member, Hon. Kebba Lang Fofana – Member, Hon. Omar Jammeh – Member, Hon. Alhagie Mbowe – Member and Hon. Sheriff Sarr – Member.
As the committee prepares to embark on its mandate, legislators cautioned members to exercise utmost diligence and impartiality as the task ahead is daunting.
