Marr Nyang Warns Against Selective Accountability on Former President Jammeh’s Assets

Marr Nyang and Madi Jobarteh © Askanwi Media

By Edward Dalliah, Jr

The Executive Director of Gambia Participates, Marr Nyang, has called for the investigation and prosecution of individuals found wanting in the disposal of former President Yahya Jammeh's assets, stressing that accountability should not be limited to Jammeh alone.

Speaking on Friday, 28th August 2026, during a joint civil society organisations' press conference on their position on the report of the National Assembly Select Committee on the Sale of Jammeh's Assets, Nyang warned against what he described as “selective accountability”.

Answering a question from Askanwi Media, he said the government should not be "holding Jammeh accountable and leaving those who are responsible for the transparent disposal of these assets scot-free”.

He added, "If that's the case, then we don't believe in the accountability approach. This will be selective accountability that's already limited to Jammeh.”

The Janneh Commission was established in 2017 through an Act of Parliament to investigate the financial dealings of former President Jammeh. During its mandate, a number of assets alleged to have been illegally acquired by the former president were recovered and subsequently disposed of.

An investigation published by The Republic in March 2025 raised questions about the disposal of some of the assets, revealing that they were sold through corrupt means and that a comprehensive list of all disposed assets had not initially been made public.

The revelations prompted the first protest by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA). As pressure mounted, the government subsequently published a list of the disposed assets, which later led to a parliamentary inquiry over concerns about the prices at which some of the assets were sold and the identities of those who purchased them.

Omar Saiboo Camara GALA © Askanwi Media

The selective committee subsequently "identified systemic failures, institutional weaknesses, and significant financial discrepancies in the handling of former President Jammeh's forfeited assets”.

In its recommendations, the committee recommended further investigations by the relevant authorities and further action be taken against those found culpable.

The report was subsequently submitted to the Office of the President. However, President Adama Barrow has yet to publicly address its findings or the recommendations for further action.

Nyang said the circumstances surrounding the disposal of the assets raise further questions about accountability.

"The assets that were forfeited were forfeited because the government believed they were acquired illicitly and corruptly. But the parliamentary report and journalists' investigations also revealed that the assets that were forfeited through corrupt means were disposed of in a corrupt manner," he said.

The joint CSO coalition, which includes Gambia Participates, GALA, the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, and the Gambia Press Union, among others, is calling on the government to take concrete action on the recommendations contained in the parliamentary report, including further investigations and the prosecution of those found responsible.