By Seedy Jobe
Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), a nonpartisan civil society organization advocating transparency and the protection of public resources, has welcomed the report of the National Assembly’s Select Committee on the disposal of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh, describing it as an important step toward greater transparency and accountability.
In a statement, the group said the report marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to ensure responsible management of public assets recovered from the former regime.
“The establishment of the Select Committee itself was a direct response to growing public concern regarding the manner in which some of these assets were reportedly handled,” the statement said. It added that such concerns had been strongly voiced by citizens and civil society groups, including during a peaceful protest organized by GALA on May 8, calling for full transparency and accountability.
GALA stressed that the recovery and management of assets associated with the former president go beyond financial considerations.
“The recovery and management of assets associated with the former regime is not merely a financial matter,” the statement said. “It is a question of justice, trust in public institutions, and respect for the aspirations of Gambians who demanded accountability during and after the country’s democratic transition.”
The organization also praised the role played by young Gambians who demonstrated peacefully to demand openness in the handling of recovered assets.
“GALA also wishes to acknowledge and commend the courage, civic consciousness, and peaceful engagement of the many young Gambians who took to the streets to demand transparency and accountability in the management of these recovered assets,” the statement said.
The group further commended the National Assembly and the Select Committee for undertaking the investigation, describing parliamentary oversight as essential to democratic governance.
“Parliamentary oversight is a cornerstone of democratic governance, and the work of the Committee demonstrates the critical role of the legislature in ensuring that public institutions act in the best interest of the nation,” the statement said.
GALA called on the government to carefully consider and implement the committee’s recommendations, stressing that effective action would be vital to addressing public concerns and reinforcing institutional accountability.
“Ensuring that these assets are managed transparently and in accordance with the law is essential for strengthening public confidence in governance and safeguarding national resources,” the statement said.
GALA said it plans to review the report in detail before issuing a comprehensive assessment of its findings and recommendations, along with outlining the next steps it intends to pursue in advancing transparency and public accountability.
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