The Reparations Commission yesterday confirmed receipt of US$2.57 million recovered from the forfeiture and sale of former president Yahya Jammeh’s property in Potomac, Maryland, in the United States, with the proceeds earmarked exclusively for reparations to victims of human rights violations.
In a press release, the Commission said it had received exactly a total of US$2,573,414.10, which has been deposited directly into the Reparations Fund account at the Central Bank of The Gambia.
The Commission said the funds would be used solely to pay reparations to eligible victims and survivors in accordance with the Victims Reparations Act, 2023, and guidelines established by the Commission.
It described the transfer as an important step towards advancing the implementation of its national reparations mandate.
The Commission further assured victims, survivors and the general public that its operational budget is separate from the Reparations Fund, stressing that money deposited into the fund would not be used to finance its administrative operations.
“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 statement said.
According to the financial breakdown released by the Commission, the proceeds comprise net equity of US$2,507,911.73 from the sale of the property and US$65,502.37 held in rental escrow, bringing the total amount received to US$2,573,414.10.
The property generated US$2,609,589.88 in revenue, alongside a refund of US$18,495.93 for overpaid taxes, bringing the total monies transferred to the US Treasury to US$2,628,085.81.
However, expenses associated with the forfeiture and sale process amounted to US$120,174.08.
These included US$2,229.86 in legal fees, US$62,325.08 in delinquent property taxes covering 2020 and 2021 and the first half of 2022, and US$55,619.14 in final contractor costs.
After deducting these expenses, the net equity from the property stood at US$2,507,911.73. When combined with the rental escrow of US$65,502.37, the total proceeds received by The Gambia amounted to US$2,573,414.10.
The Commission said the funds would support efforts to provide timely and comprehensive reparations to eligible victims and survivors.
“Under the Victims Reparations Act, 2023, reparations may include individual or collective restitution, compensation and rehabilitation”.
The receipt of the funds represents a significant development in the country’s efforts to provide redress to victims of human rights violations committed during Jammeh’s rule.
The Commission has a mandate to support the implementation of reparations for victims and survivors, making the recovery and transfer of assets linked to the former president an important component of the broader accountability and redress process.
The Commission acknowledged the cooperation between the governments of The Gambia and the United States in facilitating the transfer of the proceeds.
