Gambia to Pay Jammeh Victims $2.5m

The Gambia will use $2.5 million recovered from the sale of former president Yahya Jammeh’s US mansion to compensate victims of abuses committed during his 22-year rule.

Funds Returned to The Gambia

The Gambian Reparations Commission confirmed on Tuesday that it had received $2.5 million from the sale of a property in Potomac, Maryland, previously owned by Jammeh and his wife.

In September, the US Department of Justice announced that proceeds from the property’s sale would be returned to The Gambia. US authorities said the residence had been purchased using proceeds from criminal activity and misappropriated Gambian public funds.

The money will be dedicated exclusively to reparations for victims of abuses committed during Jammeh’s presidency.

Commission Pledges Transparency

The Reparations Commission, established to oversee compensation for victims, described the return of the funds as an important step towards fulfilling commitments made under a 2023 law.

In a statement, the commission said it was committed to managing the money responsibly and transparently, while ensuring that victims and survivors received due consideration.

The payment represents progress in efforts to provide financial redress to people who suffered under Jammeh’s government. However, the commission has not provided details in the supplied report about when individual payments will be made or how much each eligible victim will receive.

Allegations of Abuses Under Jammeh

Jammeh ruled The Gambia for 22 years, from 1994 until 2017. His government has been accused of serious human rights violations, including the killing of political opponents, enforced disappearances, rape and torture.

A commission of inquiry established in The Gambia estimated that between 240 and 250 people were killed by forces operating under his government.

Jammeh has also been accused of diverting millions of dollars in public funds for personal use. The US authorities’ action to return the mansion proceeds forms part of efforts to recover assets allegedly acquired through the misuse of Gambian public money.

Jammeh Forced Into Exile

Jammeh left office in 2017 after losing the 2016 presidential election to Adama Barrow. He initially refused to accept the result, triggering a political crisis that ended after neighbouring West African countries applied pressure for him to step down.

He subsequently went into exile in Equatorial Guinea, where he remains.

Barrow succeeded him as president, while The Gambia has continued efforts to address abuses committed during the former leader’s rule.

Reparations Efforts Continue

The return of the $2.5 million provides a source of funding for compensation promised to victims and survivors. The commission says the money will be used only for reparations, although the distribution process and payment schedule remain unclear.

The development marks a further step in The Gambia’s efforts to address the legacy of Jammeh’s rule and provide redress to those affected by alleged human rights violations.