The Gambia to pay reparations to ex-dictator’s victims from sale of US mansion

Gambian authorities person announced that funds from the merchantability of the country’s erstwhile president’s mansion successful the United States would beryllium utilized to wage reparations to victims of his rule.

The Gambia Reparations Commission confirmed Tuesday that it received conscionable much than $2.5m from the merchantability of a spot successful the affluent Washington, DC suburb of Potomac, Maryland, belonging to ex-President Yahya Jammeh.

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The commission, which was acceptable up to compensate victims of abuses committed during Jammeh’s 22-year regularisation ending successful 2017, said successful a connection that “the funds were deposited straight into the Reparations Fund relationship astatine the Central Bank of The Gambia and shall lone beryllium utilized for the outgo of reparations”.

“The Commission is committed to ensuring that the funds are managed responsibly, transparently and accountably, with owed respect to the rights and needs of victims and survivors,” it added.

Jammeh presently lives successful Equatorial Guinea, aft helium was forced retired nether unit from The Gambia’s West African neighbours pursuing his 2016 predetermination nonaccomplishment to existent President Adama Barrow.

He is accused of presiding implicit the execution of governmental opponents, disappearances, rape and torture.

A committee of enquiry estimated that betwixt 240 and 250 victims were killed by Jammeh’s forces successful the erstwhile British colony of 2 cardinal people.

Proceeds from corruption

President Barrow said successful a connection that his authorities would heed immoderate recommendations by authoritative auditors connected however the funds would beryllium allocated to victims.

The US Justice Department filed a civilian forfeiture ailment successful 2020 alleging that the spot was bought with proceeds of corruption. A tribunal ordered its forfeiture successful 2022.

The property, it asserted, was purchased done a spot acceptable up by Jammeh’s wife.

The US Justice Department had announced successful September that it would instrumentality the funds from the mansion merchantability to The Gambia.