Press release
The Gambia Reparations Commission is pleased to inform victims, survivors and the public that it has received a total of USD 2,573,414.10 (Two Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Fourteen United States Dollars and Ten Cents) recovered from the forfeiture and sale of former President Yahya Jammeh’s Potomac property in the United States of America. These 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 by the Commission. Full disclosure of the revenue and expenses associated with the forfeiture and sale process by the United States Government is replicated below.
The Commission recognizes this development as an important step towards advancing the implementation of its reparations mandate under the Victims Reparations Act, 2023. The funds will support efforts to provide swift and comprehensive reparations to eligible victims in accordance with the Victim’s Reparations Act, 2023 and guidelines set out by the Commission. Reparations under the Victim’s Reparations Act, 2023 include individual or collective restitution, compensation, and rehabilitation. Victims, survivors and the public are assured that the operation budget of the Commission is distinct from the Fund, and these and all other funds deposited into the Reparations Fund shall only be used for reparations.
The Commission acknowledges the cooperation between the Governments of The Gambia and the United States of America in facilitating the transfer of these proceeds.
The Commission reaffirms its commitment to keeping victims, survivors and the public informed of significant developments in the implementation of the national reparations programme.
The Commission is committed to ensuring that the funds are managed responsibly, transparently and accountably, with due regard to the rights and needs of victims and survivors.