Former Gambian Finance Minister Denies Involvement in Sale of Jammeh’s Seized Assets

By Fatou Sillah

Sanneh Clarifies Role in Asset Disposal Process

Amadou Sanneh, The Gambia’s former Minister of Finance, has publicly denied any involvement in the controversial sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh. In an exclusive interview with Kerr Fatou, Sanneh emphasized that all of Jammeh’s assets, including aircraft, vehicles, and properties, were managed exclusively by the Janneh Commission during his tenure.

“The Assets of Jammeh came through the Janneh Commission,” Sanneh stated. “They discovered the list of many assets – from properties to cars and airplanes – but they were all under the custody and control of the commission.”

Economic Recovery Efforts and Asset Tracing

Sanneh explained that during The Gambia’s economic crisis in 2017, the government collaborated with international partners including the World Bank to trace and potentially liquidate Jammeh’s assets to support national recovery.

“In 2017, the country was in difficulty. We decided with the World Bank to sell some assets to help the country recover,” Sanneh recalled. “We approached some of his planes in Germany or Holland with the World Bank team and assistance from other agencies. The US and UK were helping us trace some assets, but when the commission heard about our plans, they asserted their legal authority over the sales process.”

Vehicle Policy and Asset Disposal

The former minister clarified that his only involvement in asset disposal was initiating a vehicle policy for old and dysfunctional government vehicles.

“The process I started was the vehicle policy for old vehicles parked at Quadrangle and ministries,” Sanneh said. “We established a disposal team chaired by my DPD Yahya Drammeh, but I was moved from the Finance Ministry before any vehicles were actually disposed of.”

Controversial Sales and Transparency Concerns

Sanneh addressed allegations about preferential treatment in the sale of agricultural equipment to Turo Darboe, stating he had no knowledge of competing bids.

“What Turo bought – the aircraft, tractors, and agricultural spring tractors – we once mentioned it, but any reports about competing companies are news to me,” Sanneh said. “If that happened, it was after I left the Finance Ministry.”

He also refuted claims that he personally benefited from Jammeh’s assets, particularly regarding his Hummer vehicle: “I purchased that Hummer during my private practice as a professional accountant, well before I went to prison and during Jammeh’s time.”

Call for Transparency in Asset Management

Sanneh stressed the importance of transparency in handling public assets, urging authorities to make all records publicly available.

“Under financial regulations, all these assets should have been listed, and details of all sales should be made public,” he emphasized. “When questions arise, it’s the government’s responsibility – particularly the Ministry of Justice – to clarify whether due process was followed.”

The former minister warned that lack of transparency leads to misinformation and public distrust, calling for proper documentation and disclosure of all asset disposal procedures.