Majority Leader and National Assembly Member (NAM) for Kantora, Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, has announced plans to introduce a motion in the National Assembly to establish a Special Select Committee to investigate allegations of improper sales of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh. The move follows a recent investigation by The Republic that raised concerns about the handling of the exiled leader’s properties.
In a statement issued today, Tunkara revealed that he has submitted a formal notice of intention to the Clerk of the National Assembly, instructing the office to assist in drafting the motion for tabling during the Assembly’s upcoming session in June 2025. The proposed Special Select Committee would conduct an impartial inquiry to uncover the full truth behind the asset sales, aiming to ensure transparency and accountability.
“In the wake of the serious revelations regarding the alleged inappropriate sales of the assets of former President Yahya Jammeh, I have today submitted a formal notice of intention to the Clerk of the National Assembly to introduce a motion for the Assembly to consider establishing a Special Select Committee,” Tunkara said. “My Office, together with all the members supporting this initiative, shall do all it takes to pursue the matter to its conclusion for the interest of transparency and accountability.”
The allegations stem from concerns over the management of Jammeh’s extensive assets, which were seized by the government following his exile to Equatorial Guinea in 2017 after losing the presidential election to Adama Barrow. Previous reports, including a 2019 statement from the Justice Ministry, estimated that Jammeh stole at least $362 million from state coffers during his 22-year rule, with assets ranging from properties to luxury vehicles.
Tunkara’s call for an inquiry has garnered support among some Assembly members, though it remains to be seen how the motion will be received in the broader political landscape. The initiative underscores ongoing efforts to address the legacy of Jammeh’s regime, which has been linked to human rights abuses and widespread corruption.
