Youth Protest Spurs Transparency in Gambia's Handling of Jammeh's Assets

Premium Times

In early May 2025, The Gambia witnessed a significant civic movement as 27 young protesters and two journalists were arrested in Banjul during demonstrations demanding transparency in the sale of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh. The protests, led by the group Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), were sparked by media reports alleging that the government sold Jammeh's assets below market value.

The government's response to the protests was swift. While the journalists were released shortly after their arrest, the detained protesters were held for three days. Following escalating public pressure and continued demonstrations, the government released all 27 protesters and began disclosing initial details about the asset sales. Officials pledged to provide more comprehensive information soon, signaling a shift toward greater transparency.

The controversy centers around the sale of assets seized from Jammeh, who ruled The Gambia for over two decades before going into exile in Equatorial Guinea. A 2019 report by a government commission revealed that Jammeh had embezzled up to $362 million during his tenure. In 2022, Justice Minister Dawda Jallow reported that the government had recovered over one billion dalasis from the sale of 44 assets belonging to Jammeh and his associates.

However, concerns about the transparency of these sales have persisted. In January 2025, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly noted that the government had yet to provide details on proceeds amounting to D22,319,957.92 from the sale of Jammeh's assets. The FPAC had previously passed a resolution requesting relevant documents, but as of mid-January, the government had not complied.

The recent protests and the government's subsequent actions highlight the growing influence of civic activism in The Gambia. The youth-led demonstrations have not only brought attention to issues of governmental transparency but have also prompted concrete steps toward accountability. As the government continues to release information about the asset sales, this episode underscores the power of peaceful protest in effecting change and the importance of transparency in governance.