The Gambia will use more than $2.5 million recovered from the sale of a US mansion belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh to compensate victims of human rights abuses committed during his rule.
The Gambia Reparations Commission confirmed on Tuesday that the money had been transferred to a dedicated fund at the Central Bank of The Gambia.
According to AFP and The Associated Press, as reported by Al Jazeera, the funds came from the sale of a property in Potomac, Maryland, near Washington, DC.
The announcement marks another step in efforts to provide compensation to victims of abuses committed during Jammeh’s 22 years in power.
Gambia receives $2.5m for victims
The Reparations Commission said the money would be used exclusively to compensate victims and survivors of abuses committed under Jammeh’s government.
The commission confirmed that the proceeds had been deposited directly into the Reparations Fund account at the country’s central bank.
It also pledged to manage the money transparently and responsibly, while prioritising the rights and needs of victims.
The commission was established to help address the consequences of human rights violations committed during Jammeh’s presidency, which ended in 2017.
The latest payment provides additional resources for the country’s ongoing reparations programme.
Why was Yahya Jammeh’s US mansion sold?
The property was located in Potomac, an affluent suburb of Washington, DC.
In 2020, the US Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging that the mansion had been purchased using proceeds of corruption.
US authorities said the property had been acquired through a trust established by Jammeh’s wife.
A court ordered the property’s forfeiture in 2022.
In September 2026, the US Justice Department announced that proceeds from the mansion’s sale would be returned to The Gambia.
The funds have now been transferred to the country’s Reparations Commission for distribution to eligible victims.
Victims of Jammeh’s rule seek compensation
Jammeh governed The Gambia for 22 years before leaving office in 2017.
His administration has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including killings, enforced disappearances, torture and sexual violence.
A commission of inquiry estimated that between 240 and 250 people were killed by forces operating under his government.
Victims and their families have continued seeking justice, compensation and accountability for the abuses.
The reparations programme is intended to provide financial assistance to people affected by violations committed during that period.
However, compensation does not replace the broader legal process of establishing responsibility for alleged crimes.
President Barrow pledges oversight of funds
Gambian President Adama Barrow said his government would consider recommendations from official auditors concerning the allocation of the recovered money.
The commitment comes as authorities face expectations to ensure that compensation reaches eligible victims.
The Reparations Commission has also emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in managing the funds.
The announcement did not specify how much individual victims would receive or when payments would begin.
Where is former President Yahya Jammeh now?
Jammeh has lived in exile in Equatorial Guinea since leaving The Gambia in January 2017.
He departed after losing the 2016 presidential election to Adama Barrow.
His refusal to initially accept the election result triggered a political crisis.
Pressure from neighbouring West African countries eventually led to his departure.
Since then, Gambian authorities have pursued efforts to address abuses committed during his administration.
The recovery of assets linked to the former president has become part of that wider process.
Gambia continues efforts to address past abuses
The return of more than $2.5 million represents a financial contribution to The Gambia’s efforts to support victims of its former government.
It also highlights cooperation between Gambian and US authorities in recovering assets linked to alleged corruption.
For victims and survivors, the focus now turns to how the money will be distributed and whether it will provide meaningful assistance.
The Reparations Commission says the funds will be reserved for compensation, while the government has pledged to consider auditors’ recommendations.
The development marks another step in The Gambia’s efforts to address the legacy of Jammeh’s rule.