Hon. Yahya Sanyang, United Democratic Party lawmaker, has fiercely criticized Hon. Billy G. Tunkara’s recent push for a parliamentary inquiry into the sale of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets, labeling it a calculated distraction to shield corrupt officials and delay accountability.
In a scathing statement, Sanyang accused Tunkara, the Majority Leader, of exploiting public demand for transparency to orchestrate a political diversion under the guise of oversight.
Sanyang argued that Tunkara’s proposal, presented as a quest for clarity, is disingenuous given his eight-year record of obstructing scrutiny into Jammeh’s assets. “For years, he blocked parliamentary questions on this very issue,” Sanyang said. “Now, as public outrage grows over the government’s refusal to name buyers, he proposes a redundant inquiry. This is not about answers—it’s about derailing justice.”
The Janneh Commission, established to investigate Jammeh’s financial dealings, already documented these assets extensively, Sanyang noted, rendering Tunkara’s inquiry unnecessary. He suggested that the real solution lies with the Ministry of Justice immediately releasing the full list of buyers and transaction details. “Gambians don’t need another costly spectacle,” he said. “They need transparency now.”
Sanyang further warned that a parliamentary inquiry, controlled by the NPP’s majority, risks becoming a manipulated process designed to suppress evidence and protect allies. “The NPP could easily sabotage this committee, cherry-pick witnesses, and deliver preordained outcomes,” he said, pointing to Tunkara’s history of voting against anti-corruption measures and shielding government officials.
The asset sales, already completed, make recovery unlikely, Sanyang added, accusing Tunkara of pushing a futile exercise to exhaust public attention and obscure complicity. “This is a Trojan horse to legitimize opacity,” he said, urging the government to prioritize disclosure over theatrics.
Public frustration has mounted over the lack of transparency surrounding Jammeh’s assets, with many suspecting high-level collusion. Sanyang’s remarks echo a broader UDP demand for immediate action, warning that delays only deepen distrust. “The Gambian people see through this charade,” he said. “They deserve answers, not political pantomimes.”
The Ministry of Justice has not responded to calls to release the buyers’ list. As pressure builds, Sanyang vowed that the UDP and Gambians will persist until complete transparency is achieved, stating, “Every shadow surrounding Jammeh’s assets must be illuminated.”
