(JollofNews) – More than $11m (£8.8m) is missing from The Gambia’s state coffers following the departure of long-time leader Yahya Jammeh, an adviser to President Adama Barrow has said.
Mai Ahmad Fatty said financial experts were trying to evaluate the exact loss.
Luxury cars and other items were seen being loaded on to a Chadian cargo plane on the night Mr Jammeh left the country.
Mr Jammeh flew into exile on Saturday, ending his 22 years in power.
He had refused to accept election results but finally left after mediation by regional leaders and the threat of military intervention.
President Barrow remains in neighbouring Senegal and it is not clear when he will return.
However, West African troops have entered the Gambian capital, Banjul, on Sunday to prepare for his arrival.
Cheering crowds gathered outside the State House to watch soldiers secure the building.
The Senegalese general leading the joint force from five African nations said they were controlling “strategic points to ensure the safety of the population and facilitate… Mr Barrow’s assumption of his role”.
Mr Fatty told reporters in the Senegalese capital Dakar that The Gambia was in financial distress.
“The coffers are virtually empty,” he said. “It has been confirmed by technicians in the ministry of finance and the Central Bank of the Gambia.”
He said Mr Jammeh had made off with more than $11m in the past two weeks alone. The BBC is unable to independently verify the claims.
Mr Fatty said officials at The Gambia’s main airport had been told not to let any of Mr Jammeh’s belongings leave the country.
Reports said some of the former leader’s goods were in Guinea where Mr Jammeh had stopped on his journey into exile.
Mr Jammeh is reported to now be in Equatorial Guinea, although authorities there have not confirmed it.
The former leader had initially accepted Mr Barrow’s election win on 1 December, but later alleged “irregularities” and called for a fresh vote.
The move was internationally condemned and the UN-backed Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) issued an ultimatum for him to quit or be removed by force.
Source: BBC News
Mai Ahmad Fatty you started your chess game again without even entering the State House nor in the Gambia yet and started pewing unverified statements. Infact where on earth have you ever seen such a governance. The leadership vacuum left by the former President should have been filled by the later instantly even if he cannot reside at the state house but his presence must be felt by the subjects within and not without.
If there is anyone to be blamed will be Senegal’s Annexed Regional Governor Adama Barrow who should have been here immediately Jammeh left but due to his inexperience in leadership he cannot put urgency in filling the leadership vacuum, and worst of all the man steering the Barrow led team Mai Ahmad Fatty who in no undoubted terms wanted to get to the mantle even if he is to swim in Gambians’ blood and walk over their dead bodies. Thanks to Halifa Sallah who is genius in his field worked hard till peace triumph. Mai Fatty Gambians are watching over you. We Gambians will not be fooled twice and yet again be fooled the third time then that will be b*****d
Mai Ahmad Fatty you started your chess game again without even entering the State House nor in the Gambia yet and started pewing unverified statements. Infact where on earth have you ever seen such a governance. The leadership vacuum left by the former President should have been filled by the later instantly even if he cannot reside at the state house but his presence must be felt by the subjects within and not without.
If there is anyone to be blamed will be Senegal’s Annexed Regional Governor Adama Barrow who should have been here immediately Jammeh left but due to his inexperience in leadership he cannot put urgency in filling the leadership vacuum, and worst of all the man steering the Barrow led team Mai Ahmad Fatty who in no undoubted terms wanted to get to the mantle even if he is to swim in Gambians’ blood and walk over their dead bodies. Thanks to Halifa Sallah who is genius in his field worked hard till peace triumph. Mai Fatty Gambians are watching over you. We Gambians will not be fooled twice and yet again be fooled the third time then that will be b*****d
It is a blessing tat lieutenant jammeh finally is gone. The self proclaimed doctor, professor, alhaji and sheikh. Yet the only things to be said about him is that he is a fraud, fake and most of all a thief. All his wealth is stolen from the gambian people and should be confiskated and returned to them. lieutenant jammeh has used the gambian national bank as if it belonged to him.
Hopefully there is justice to be done and questions to be answered. All the gambians who lost familymembers due to this murderous lieutenant have the right to know what happened to their loved ones.
One question in particular is who killed Deyda Hydara. The final exile for the lieutenant will hopefully be a singelroom in Haag. That is where people comitting crimes to their people belong. And their he can contemplate togeter with companions like C Taylor and L Gbagbo.
I could not have said it better but you are completely right, unfortunately this seems to be the african way of governing in most of the countries on that continent.
I wonder whether the plan is to hold a truth and reconciliation commission to identify legitimate claimants of human rights violation followed by compensation generated from the money and assets Ya Ya Jammeh stole and owns…
ECOWAS was ..well, responsible at the time, and should in good conscience reimburse the Gambia the $8.8 million said to have been looted by Jammeh during that period. It would be easier for them to work to in turn recover the said million from Jammeh than poor Gambia would, and the AU can take shared responsibility together with the UN, who said to exhaust all peaceable avenues before confronting and arresting/stopping Jammeh and, both the Prime Ministers of Guinea Conakry, and Mauritania should be answerable as respondents together with the Barrow government, whom, am sorry to say, but in this case has failed to properly represent the interest of the Gambia in the negotiation. After all the new government had already been sworn in when the loot apparently took place, and moreover, it mislead people in an earlier communication intimating that it was aware of Jammeh’s intention to ship [government owned] cars and other cartels on board a cargo plane, and had taken appropriate measures to stop that from happening: IT HAD CLOSED GAMBIA’s AIRSPACE?
Moreover, it is highly improbable that Jammeh can ever be extradited to the Gambia or to the Hague to account for the results of his 22 year misrule, and given the staggering level of incompetence shown to date in the ousting of Jammeh – missing millions in 2 days – itself, throws into considerable doubt the efficacy with which a “truth and reconciliation commission” can be conducted, and hence its usefulness. It is possible for example that we end up burning more money in the process than uncovering the whole truth! That situation, if it were to occur, can leave many people very hurt and disillusioned, and thus paving the way for another Jammeh further down the road!
The question we should all be asking is how can a man without a penny and a 9 Dalasis black plastic Casio sport watch in 1994 became the richest president in Africa? His salary as a president cannot even make him the richest man in The Gambia .
11 million US dollars is nothing compared to the true amount he’s been stealing all those years.
Without proper investigation and enquiry, any statement about how much is stolen is premature.
I believe the surface haven’t even been scratched yet let alone digging deep
Voting in mass does not always constitute the TRUTH neither reflect the desires of the people.
Voting in mass does not always demonstrate the true values of democracy. It could be misleading and disastrous.
What we are observing these days since 2016 is the truth of these statements.
Voting in mass for the USA president Donald Trump was just a franchise that did not constitute the TRUTH neither reflect the desires of the American people. He is not wanted by his people.
Voting in mass for the UK «Brexit» demand did not constitute the TRUTH for the British people neither did it reflect the desires of the British people. They regret deject the whole episode.
The two voting exercises in The USA and The UK were misleading exercises based on lies, hatred and false allusions.
Voting in mass for the Gambian «Coalition» party to elect Adama Barrow did not constitute the TRUTH for the Gambian people neither did it reflect their democratic desires and aspirations.
It was a Gambian exercise based on cheating, conspiracy, bribery, tribalism and intimidation. Thus Adama Barrow and his «Coalitionn» are not wanted by the Gambian people.
The TRUTH will eventually come to surface when the bitty «Coalition» crumbles into ashes on selfish advocacies of its incongrous figures based on partisan ideologies.
The marionette «President» Barrow will soon learn that leading a diverse citizenry of 1.8 million Mandinkolu, Fulolu, Jolalu, Wollofolu, Akuwolu, Sarahulelu, Manjakolu, Balantolu, Kasinkolu, Manswankolu(my tribe) and all the diverse ethnic groupings is incompatible to his watchman job at the London Argos markets.
The GREAT LEGACIES of President Jammeh will remain till eternity!
Positive opposition to the Adama Barrow «Coalition» has just begun!
Long live President Jammeh, Long live the APRC party, Long live the patriotic conscientious Pan Africanist people of the Gambia.
Down with neocolonists and their henchmen and cronies!
And down with Babu Soli and his thieving friend Yahya Jammeh who bled our country dry and ran away like a coward with his tail tucked between his skinny legs. You need to have yourself examine by a doctor as your rants sound more from a maniac or an outright ignorant fool and pity there is no cure for foolishness.
Babu Soli is a petty little man and we the Gambians are tired of people like him.
Good riddance dictator jammeh and follow suit Babu Soli for fuck sake.
Down with neocolonialist and their henchmen and whatever rubbish you re talking about, your boss is exiled in the least pan-Africa oriented country in Africa. In the short time before he’ll be extradited he would learn what a clown he is. Panama papers and all. That country then must be links to his money laundering networks around the world because he is a premeditator of all crimes he commits, the murders and all.
Who knows a Spainish citizen has more rights in Equitorial Guinea than your false pan-Africanist boss. My advice to you is; tell your boss to watch his mouth about ‘anti-colonialist and henchman rubbish’ around Señor Oblang, because he could end up wiping glass on the Spainish petroleum expert’s car, a common job for exiles to earn a daily bread. This all could be some of Jmmeh’s experiences in a couple of years before he would be finally caged inside a maximum security cell.
I just wonder which are the “great legacies ” of lieutenant jammeh?
As mentioned above he was poor, even so poor that he could not even get a second hand car out of Banjul Port.
And now he is boasting that he “is the richest man in Africa”. Or was he humble and meant only Westafrica?
The absolut last thing anyone in charge in a democratic society should do is using the power to enrich himself, his family and croonies. His (or hers) only objective is to rule by law in the mere inteeest of the nation.
Obviously the lieutenant has not done this. He has used the Gambia and its resources ultimately and only for his own good.
If there during his 22 year reign has been built a new coastal road ( with money from Kuweit) and a new airportbuilding doesnt make his “legacy” any greater.
He has proven himsel in the same category as Bokassa, Samuel Doe, Idi Amin and others.
The only fair place for the lieutenant is a single room in Haag.
He, the selfproclaimed doctor! Curing infertility in women, astma, high blood pressure and AIDS…..guess I have forgotten some of his medical povers…. what a selfpossesed joke
He has a long time been the ridicule of Africa. Thanks to (his exfriend), the mighty Allah, that he now can sweat in Equatorialguinea
Dear L.Junggren,u r spot on in your 4th paragraph nd th mention of Bokassa,Samuel Doe nd Idi Amin jst tell us all tht Africans cnt rule themselves.Democracy i.e Demon/Crazy hs nt roots in th African way of thinking or attitude.African wd b beta off unda chiefs.African presidents behave as paramount chiefs or kings bcz of th above mind set. Go to a villager in any African country nd ask hm/ha “Wh is th owner of hs/ha country.”Th obvious ansa is th name of their country’s president.Pipo wh are allowed to visit an African president in hs chambers are required to crawl to greet th president jst as it happened in Africa b4 colonialism.Wht do u imagine goes in th mind of ths president when evn th ministers he cn appoint or fire do th same? Food for thought.
One of the Truth about Yaya Jammeh is that he is a dictator, a traitor/betrayer of trust, arrogant, shameless … who has ruled with oppression and instilled fear in the people. The mood in the Gambia today is freedom, joy and happiness they have not enjoyed for 22 years. This is not false but the truth and absolute TRUTH. It was manifested when the Coalition won the election. Spontaneous jubilations throughout the country. What happened when the shameless beast and dictator Jammeh denied the election results, fear, sadness and anger engulfed the nation.
These demonstrate the true nature of the 2 regimes: Rule of fear, intimidation and insecurity whenever dictator Jammeh reigns against joy, freedom and happiness when HE President Barrow reigns (or there is hope). This the truth and the reality.
See how wicked the shameless dictator Jammeh is, who has never had the interest of the Gambia and the people. He was there only for his selfish interest and the few henchmen helping him. No wonder, some of the few selfish Gambians who were enjoying with brutal dictator Jammeh at the detriment of the masses by killing, oppressing, torturing innocent civilians and rapping young girls, would comment in support of his brutal and oppresive regime. It is only those who were gaining and sucking the blood of innocent Gambians and looting the state coffers, who will support this despotic leader that the whole world knows as a tyrant. See the wickedness he has demonstrated even in this past 2 weeks by emptying the state coffers.
In this world, you can only speak the truth or tell a lie. If you support dictator Jammeh, you are definitely part of his regime and should answer the criminal charges.
ALLAH Almighty has taken the destiny of the peaceful Gambia and no individual can stop that. In His Grace and Mercy, HE has decided that Gambians will be free and that is happening. We thank you ALLAH Almighty and say ALHAMDULILLAH. May YOU continue to grant peace,joy, progress and prosperity to our motherland, the ECOWAS Region and the world. Ameen. May YOU direct the evils of this country such as Dictator Jammeh and his supporters to shames always and forever and never to maintain a thinking that will ruin this country again. Ameen
Long live the good people of the Gambia, long live COALITION 2016, Long live ECOWAS for the wonderful achievement with the help of ALLAH Almighty because it is a good cause to promote peace, freedom and liberty against the oppression and tyranny of dictatorship.
Anders Ljunggren
With your forign name you have no place in Gambian issues. I don’t blame you for anything because your neocolonial tendencies will always drive your ego into fight against the patriotic Pan Africanist. You just shut your mouth.
Who is rich without the sweat of the poor? Their input, both in services and material. You are naive and western-born foolheaded to think that all has to be western to be good. Get away with your filthy and reactionary thougths
@ Andrés ignore Babu
Wuliya Wato not (Tonya Wato)
Do you know that your bloated and bitty “Coalition” Party is full of old elements from the PPP regime who sullied the Gambia’s reputation by fostering nepotism, corruption, tribalism favouritism and all the vices that socially and economically depress a country? If you don’t, ask people who Omar Jallow, Mai Fatty, Halifa Sallah, Isatou Touray are. In their 30+ years of nefastous regime, there was absolutely and iota of improvement they undertook. How can you be so senseless to appraise such a cadre of useless nincompoop?
Natty Dread
You are among those who lack basic historical facts to draw newer lessons. Haven’t you been told that the clique of henchmen within the “Coalition” Barrow-led party were the worst perpetrators of Gambia’s backwardness during the days of their PPP regime? Just cite a single element of development they achieved during their PPP regime. You must be an IGNORANT!
I cannnot be misled by elements like you who do not uphold the facts rendered in history to draw objective conclusions about the present and the future. You are telling LIES about President Jammeh. Whether you treat the fact as fact, he did a lot to bring the Gambia into the mainstream of emerging economies.
Your marionette “president” Barrow is the damn coward who took refuge in the neocolonial Senegal to be the first coward “president” sworn out of our country’s periphery.
Go and follow your hero. And let the god and faithfull majority of Gambians rebuild the Gambia, ever true.
Yes, and I will chip in for your ticket.
Here we go again apologist Babu Soli, a man of contradictions, a man of self loathing, a hate monger and a damn liar. According to you dictator jammeh brought Gambia into the mainstream of emerging economies but at what cost to our people and our nation.The deaths, the tortures, the rapes, the detentions without charge, the plundering of our resources, the human right violations etc etc etc.
Allow me to humbly remind you Babu Soli, what befell Solo Sandeng, Solo Krummah, Chief Ebrima Manneh, Dehda Hydara, Ebrima Korro Ceesay, Ebou Lowe, Sadibou Hydara, the student demonstrators etc etc etc. How many people languishing in the various secret detention centres all around the country.
The PPP government hadn’t brought much development to our nation but atleast our people were free. We had a better educational systems, independent judiciary, better human right record, better institutions and finally i can say longer life expectancy for our people.
Yahya jammeh was a plague that inflicted great suffering, great injustice to our people and our people will never forget nor forgive. Yahya Jammeh will forever be haunted by those crimes i have mentioned above and lot more not mentioned till the day he die. He will forever be a fugitive running away but we will chase him to the gate of hell where his place is assured. His days shall always be void of light but darkness and chaos. Regret and fear shall control his every day existence till his last breath.
How can you continue without shame Babu Soli to defend this pompous arrogant uneducated dictator who did a lot damage to our country and people. Yahya jammeh is a coward, a liar, an idol worshipper, a thief and a philanderer.
If you know Babu Soli, people in Equatorial Guinea don’t want him, calling him Africa’s waste, for thats what he is. He will never have peace again in this life time. What goes around comes around Babu Soli.
How good is the the product from the lab at Bonto? Come on….. B.S, don’t tell me you don’t have any idea.
Jammeh indeed is contempt to the fact that Barrow was sworn in outside Gambia because he would even have brought down the bridge that made him Babilimansa. He wish Gambia is no more without him. He is the cause of all undesirable circumstances the country’s political impasse has caused, an impasse in itself mounted by Jammeh.
Babu Soli, Well said my brother, you’re dealing with facts not opinions, Yah ya, was the best president The Gambia has had, history will prove that. A lot of Gambians do not even know this elections was about control of Gambian oil. Barrows will be well rewarded for his works, from the masters that ECOWAS answer too. This maneuver was to slick for most Gambians.
Bad situations exist when good people do nothing. Jammeh is a product of his environment.
Dida Halake made very valis points on Yaya Jammeh’s loot.
Indeed we now live in a small world and thus Jammeh’s loot can and will be returned.
Jerray Jeff Sunu Luntango/Gann Gi. Agsil Chi Ndab Li. You’ve now earned that place in my book. So the big bowl of steaming Maafeng Poularr, that I hear that you love, will be waiting for you in Kombo Kasa Kunda which will now be designated you new home in The Gambia, Dida Halake Jallow. A piece of The Gambia awaits you there (smile).
I join you to state that I have always seen through Yaya’s evil machinations and Libyan style propaganda machinery. Thanks to the late Baba Jobe and Fabakary Tombong Jusu Fing Jatta.
I said to my pal at the outset of these harrowing exit negotiations that the sickening part of this whole issue will be the revelation of the extent of looting of Gambian coffers by Yaya Jammeh and his surrogates. What we are learning is just the tip of the iceberg.
The folks at the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) knew about the plundering all along but never sounded the alarm. I have also said that when Yaya’s exit comes to be, the holders of Government Treasury Bills and other securities will be left holding the bag and all they’ll get is, I Owe You Notes! In the meantime, Gambian domestic debt goes through the roof and nobody seemed to care.
Dida, please join me in the cry that in the new republic, those enablers that are complicit in Yaya’s malfeasance, and in the process lined their pockets, must be brought to book. Middle managers at the CBG will tell you that the plundering of resources has been going on for too long at the top level, enabled largely by the General Managers and Governors of the CBG. I have myself, a private citizen, witnessed soldiers moving up and down the floors of the bank carrying James Bond style briefcases and suitcases laden with funds out of the bank. Whenever these soldiers or agents emerge on a particular floor, the silence of staff was notable and all eyes were lowered to the floor.
Yes Dida, the worst enemies of The Gambia are hiding in plain sight and their actions have become common knowledge. Yes, they will quickly counter that they were just doing their jobs and that they had families to feed. Don’t we all have security needs?
The late Famara Jatta is gone but everyone else that’s held the positions of Governor and General Manager, CBG, with the exception of Val Jensen, must be brought to account for their deeds! There are basic tenets called scruples and moral values that are in woefully short supply in the Gambian public service and society. Does anyone care anymore?
Let’s stay on message Dida, let’s stay on message. Thanks.
Andy
hello to all,
I am biginning to smell a rat from this new government in the Gambia. This not good beginning. Mai Ahmad Fatty is just acting as someone doing eye service to President Adama Barrow. i am indeed not happy with way he is pewing out unverified stories. Cant he leave everything with Halifa Sallah the Coalition Spokesman. He is acting so erratic. i dont trust him at all.
concern citizen of the Gambia
It will neve happen that money has gone far away it will never go back to Gambia
It is very sad, sadness col poverty that we are in Gambia, but hey we are always the citizens who paid the broken dishes the shame of African politics how many politicians have money stolen and hidden in switzerland london or paris? While people are dying for lack Of medicine etc? When African leaders will change?
Eva, Mbucha, Pendo Chorro Sarr.
Yeah, the right thing is to ignore mr Babu S. As Natty Dread mentioned is foolishness incurable.
I am not a gambian, but I have visited the country more than 35 times, lost count, in fact.
I have also had the dubious pleasure of beeing jailed just for asking a question that in any democratically ruled country would have been fully understandable to ask.
The question was ” how is the investigation of the murder of Deyda Hydara going?”
That question put me in jail accused for treason.(how can it be possible to commit treason to a country you are not a citizen of???) So sensible was that question, and we all know the answer to it. As the answer to the arson attacs to the Independent newspaper and the killing of the 40 ghananians…..and I could go on and on and on…..
So, I have some experience of the rule of law under the leadership of the lieutenant.
Also had the pleasure of meeting the NIA. Had to pay a large sum of money to get released…..which I am sure was shared between the chief of operation at NIA and my “defense lawyer”, mr Edward Gomez.
The latter was later for a short peiod minister of justise. And after that known as the lieutenants own lawyer, before he got cold feet and absconded to Senegal.
So, I am extremely happy that “the great legacies” of the lieutenant soon only will exist in the memory of such fools like the above mentioned Babu Soli.
And even I would happily contribute for his ticket to Ekvatorialguinea.
@ Anders Ljunggren- right on. Good for you for sharing and shame on you Babu Soli.
I will not worry much about Jammeh and whatever he may did and looted. Any document produced to him i believe was not authentic, it was just presented for him to leave and avoid bloodshed. Therefore, Jammeh and his cronies will eventually face justice.
Natty Dread,
Let me come to you first. You were either a child or just a stupid head to digress from the evil the PPP did in all their wasteful 30+ rule of horrendous government. You are writing about someone(Babu Soli) who had had a glimpse of the PPP dysfunctional government.
PPP killed over 800 Gambians by inviting the invading Senegalese forces to quell the Kukoi Sanyang revolt based on a bilateral treaty between the two countries which was not TRUE.
How many others were maimed and raped, arrested and remanded without charges?
There was widespread favouritism, discrimation in official circles, influence peddling, nepotism, tribalism and corruption in all walks of life. The PPP government had more international funds and social recognition than the APRC government, but what acceptable development did they achieve in over 30 years! Just cite ONE!
Democracy is not all about five-yearly elections or just speaking shit to idiots(in political cloak) who would never listen neither execute the people’s mandate. That was exactly the tendency during the PPP regime. Democracy is the widepread sharing of the people’s resources for the welfare of all. Where that is absent there is no democracy inspite of your “freedom of speech” syndrome.
Aside from all that, ask the defunct NCP, PPA party members if they were free to speak their minds during the Ex-President Jawara PPP days without police and institutional harrassment.
Anders Ljunggren,
I share my thoughts and arguments with authentic Gambians not with neocolonialists/imperialists whose interest is to vest/re-impose their colonial ideas, customs and ways of life on our people and country. That’s why I have asked you to shut up!
If you were jailed in the Gambia, you deserved it. PERIOD.
Here in Holland, where I’m residing the government has started to lash on the migrants ahead of the coming elections. To diffuse the right party urge to power, they have joined the argument to ask migrants to be Dutch or leave. Who will blame them? It’s their country.
Tell me which Scandinavian country (your surname sounds Scandinavian)you’re from, and I will pin you down on some of your most severe abuses of the people’s rights.
I have lived in Europe for long and well akinned to their abuses of the basic principles of democratic rights.
Gambians can be accused of tribalism but ALL Europe is RACIST? Am I right? Racism is an abominable crime but little has it been punished in Europe.
Sorrybabu soli, I understand where you coming from, but leaders are not to use any racial inflammatory language at any given point,if they do,they will be charged and face justice. In the case of yahya jammeh, he says tribal inflammatory openly no dear challenge him.
Babu Soli…. An economic migrant residing in Holland is trying to sully the names of our prominent patriotic citizens like Isatou Touray, Halifa Sallah, Mai Fatty and other coalition members who put their lives in harm’s way in order to free our people from the grip of a tyrant who killed, maimed, imprisoned, raped and plundered with impunity, but you will fail Babu Soli. These people are heroes not cowards who will run away when the going gets tough, as you did with Jammeh. I am baffled that you are still ranting about the neocolonialists,imperialists and racists when its those people whom you ran to for your survival, protection and a platform for the filth that’s coming from your mouth. Gambians have no time, patience and love for traitors like you and it would be nice if you follow your hero yahya jammeh into exile as the Dutch will soon ask ungrateful people like you to leave their shores for good.
Long Live the coalition heroes!
Long Live President Barrow!
Down with Yahya Arrogant Jackass Joker Jammeh – BABOITA MANSA!
Down with apologist Babu Soli – the economic migrant!
He might have left a huge amount of money but there is peace in the land. That has been very important. Let him go with the money. Thanks to the Gambian people for maintaining peace