World · Africa · 2 hrs ago
Gambia to use $2.57m from Jammeh mansion sale for victim reparations
The Gambia will use money from a US mansion sale to pay reparations to victims of former president Yahya Jammeh’s rule.
The Reparations Commission says it received $2,573,414.10 from the sale of a property in Potomac, Maryland.
It says the money was deposited into a fund at the Central Bank of The Gambia and will only be used for reparations.
Jammeh ruled the West African country for 22 years, until he left office in 2017 after losing an election.
He is accused of overseeing murder, disappearances, rape and torture, and an inquiry estimated 240 to 250 people were killed by his forces.
US authorities pursued the property because they alleged it was bought with proceeds of corruption.
The commission says it will manage the money responsibly and transparently, with regard for victims’ needs.
The Gambia says it will use $2,573,414.10 from the sale of former President Yahya Jammeh’s US mansion to pay reparations to victims of his rule.
The Gambia Reparations Commission said the funds were deposited into its account at the Central Bank and will be used only for reparations.
The mansion was in Potomac, Maryland, and was forfeited after US authorities alleged it had been bought with proceeds of corruption.
Jammeh ruled The Gambia for more than two decades, until he left office in 2017.
He is accused of presiding over murder, disappearances, rape and torture; a commission of inquiry estimated that 240 to 250 people were killed by his forces.
- Who
- The Gambia Reparations Commission received the money. It is intended for victims and survivors of Yahya Jammeh’s rule.
- What
- The Gambia will use $2,573,414.10 from the sale of Jammeh’s US mansion for reparations.
- When
- The commission confirmed receipt on Tuesday.
- Where
- The property was in Potomac, Maryland. The funds were deposited into an account at the Central Bank of The Gambia.
- Why
- The money is to compensate victims of abuses during Jammeh’s rule.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The US Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging the property was bought with proceeds of corruption.
A court ordered the property’s forfeiture.
The US Justice Department announced it would return the mansion-sale proceeds to The Gambia.
The Gambia Reparations Commission confirmed it had received $2,573,414.10.
- Proceeds received
- $2,573,414.10
- Property location
- Potomac, Maryland
- Intended use
- Reparations for victims and survivors
- Jammeh’s time in power
- 22 years, ending in 2017
- Deaths estimated by inquiry
- 240 to 250 people
5 sources
Gambia to compensate Jammeh victims with $2.5m from mansion sale
Gambia to pay victims of Yahya Jammeh's rule from proceeds of his seized US mansion
The Gambia to pay reparations to ex-dictator's victims from sale of US mansion
The Gambia receives funds from sale of former ruler Jammeh's US property
What people are saying
the funds were deposited directly into the Reparations Fund account at the Central Bank of The Gambia and shall only be utilized for the payment of reparations
The repatriation (is) ... an important step toward reparations for victims and survivors