The National Assembly of The Gambia’s Special Select Committee recommended for criminal investigations and immediate institutional reforms in light of a parliamentary inquiry into the management and disposal of state assets associated with former President Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh.
A 324-page report released today reveals significant systemic governance failures, highlighting weak coordination among state institutions and serious administrative lapses in the management of assets identified by the Janneh Commission. Investigators have pointed out significant shortcomings in record-keeping practices, ambiguous oversight responsibilities, and numerous instances of public property being disposed of without the necessary legal authorization.
The report highlights a significant recommendation from the Committee, which calls on the Executive, in collaboration with the Police and under the oversight of the Director of Public Prosecutions, to initiate criminal proceedings against former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr M. Tambadou. Serious allegations have emerged, highlighting systematic breaches of the Public Finance Act 2014, misuse of official position, and involvement in economic crimes.
The Committee has put forth a recommendation for the formal reprimand of the current Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dawda A. Jallow, citing his continuation of administrative arrangements considered unlawful under the previous administration.
The Committee has issued a call for urgent reforms to the Assets Management and Recovery Corporation (AMRC), recommending its reconstitution and enhancement to ensure it can effectively fulfill its statutory responsibilities within a six-month timeframe. If this approach does not yield results, lawmakers ought to contemplate the introduction of legislation within a three-month timeframe aimed at repealing the AMRC Act entirely.
The report indicated that the inquiry has revealed significant flaws in the management of public assets following the Jammeh era. “Immediate measures are essential to reestablish accountability, avert additional mismanagement, and bolster public trust in state institutions.”
The release of the report coincides with ongoing initiatives by The Gambia government aimed at tackling corruption and reclaiming assets that were improperly acquired or mismanaged during Mr. Jammeh’s two-decade rule, a legacy that continues to pose challenges to governance even years after his exit.
