United States supports Gambia’s efforts to investigate financial crimes and recover assets

Banjul, Gambia (PANA)  -  The United States government Thursday said here it would fully support the government of The Republic of The Gambia in its efforts to investigate corrupt activities of former President Yahya Jammeh to recover his ill-gotten gains and those of his associates.

A statement issued and received by PANA here said: “We commend the efforts of the Commission of Inquiry into the Financial Activities of Public Bodies, Enterprises and Offices, and those of the Ministry of Justice and Office of the Attorney General of The Gambia for their work in uncovering and documenting the kleptocratic actions and mechanisms of the former president and his associates.”

The statement echoed President Adama Barrow’s position that “never again” must Gambian effort focus on the abuse of power that led to systematic, state-sanctioned gross violations of human rights.

The statement also said the pervasive corruption robbed the people of The Gambia and depleted the resources of this country to the benefit of only a very few. 

“We encourage the government to work closely and expeditiously with the National Assembly to analyze this extensive corruption, and develop strong legislation, strong regulations, and strong rule of law-based investigative and prosecutorial mechanisms to address persons who abuse their positions of public trust to greedily benefit themselves – not only in the past, but also in the present and the future,” the statement said.

However, the statement said it would be a long and involved process, adding that “the government of the United States is committed to working with the Government of The Gambia to pursue all available legal means to recover the ill-gotten gains of Yahya Jammeh and his associates identified by the Commission of Inquiry”.

 “We encourage other governments and international organizations to render all possible assistance to the Government of The Gambia in this regard,” the statement stressed.

-0-    PANA   MSS/RA   13June2019