The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has welcomed the closure of public hearings into the controversial sale and disposal of assets seized from former dictator Yahya Jammeh, while sharply criticising both the executive and legislature for years of “grave dereliction of duty” that delayed transparency.
In a statement issued today, the EFSCRJ praised the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee for its “seriousness, diligence, and commitment” during months of hearings that concluded on 26 November. The rights group said the committee had heard from all essential stakeholders and gathered credible evidence needed to expose the opaque handling of assets confiscated after Jammeh’s 2017 ousting.
However, the organisation expressed frustration that six years after the 2019 Janneh Commission delivered its damning findings on corruption and asset looting under the Jammeh regime, Gambians still lack full answers. “It was only through courageous investigative reporting by The Republic and protests led by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) that the government was forced to act,” the statement read.
The EFSCRJ held President Adama Barrow and Justice Minister Dawda Jallow “squarely responsible” for failing to ensure proactive transparency, and accused the National Assembly of abdicating its oversight role. It condemned treating the Janneh Commission Report as a “private presidential document” rather than a national asset intended to drive transitional justice and institutional reform.
The group warned that the government’s neglect in implementing the Commission’s recommendations – despite publishing a White Paper – had squandered millions in public funds and fuelled a resurgence of corruption, inefficiency, and abuse of office across state institutions.
As the Select Committee now prepares its final report, the EFSCRJ urged lawmakers to make the findings fully public and ensure swift implementation. “This moment must mark a decisive step toward building a new Gambia grounded in the rule of law, transparency, and accountable democratic governance,” the statement said.
Civil society observers say the committee’s forthcoming report could prove politically explosive ahead of the 2026 presidential election, with growing public anger over alleged continued looting of state resources.
