By: Kemo Kanyi
The APRC faction loyal to former President Yahya Jammeh has reported that the Gambia government is orchestrating the looting and destruction of the properties of the exiled former president.
The faction claimed that Jammeh’s properties in his Kanilaicompound are being looted while the Kanilai Forest Park is being plundered by State agents as they are involved in illegal logging there.
The Yaya Tamba-led APRC faction said it condemned, in the strongest possible term, the “government’s activities”,describing them as illegal.
Alhagie Matarr Kujabi, the administrative secretary of the faction, said in a press release that there was preponderance of evidence of illegal logging and looting at Jammeh’s compound and the Kanilai Forest Park. He claimed that Sergeant Pa Hally Gibba, the officer commanding the 4th Infantry Battalion in Kanilai, was involved in tree felling at Jammeh’s properties on claims that he received orders from the Army High Command. Mr. Kujabi said buildings belonging to the former president have been damaged.
Kujabi further reported that buildings, boreholes, generators,furniture, beds, and clothing were among former president’s properties that were either damaged or looted. He claimed that the fence that allowed trucks to enter Jammeh’s property was damaged, the forest park’s chain-link fence removed and sold in Casamance and The Gambia, adding that the logging has depleted the park. This, he stated, led to the poaching of animals for their meat, contributing to their disappearance.
“This has resulted in an acute shortage of water in Kanilai and the animal park and has caused a serious breach of people’s trust in UN, ECOWAS, and the African Union, as per theMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the parties, with the participation of heads of state assigned to mediate the departure of H.E. Sheikh Prof. Dr. Alhagie Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh into exile,” he lamented.
Kujabi emphasized that the MoU requires the protection ofJammeh’s assets and stipulates that his supporters must not face any retribution, maltreatment, or harassment. He criticized the UN, ECOWAS, and AU “for failing in their responsibilities and for ignoring these outrageous violationsby the Adama Barrow government”.
“The failure of the UN, ECOWAS, and AU to uphold and enforce the MOU, despite their awareness of these actions, facilitated the looting and destruction of Jammeh’s assets and properties. They are, therefore, being held responsible and accountable,” stated the release.
The APRC faction argued that the sale of Jammeh’s assets by the Janneh Commission was unlawful, as it occurred before the commission completed its findings, adding that enough is enough.
It called on the UN, ECOWAS, and AU to “fulfil their obligations”. The faction then challenged the Gambian government, the Attorney General, the Ministry of Justice, the military high command, and the Ministry of Defence to investigate these issues and hold those responsible accountable, in accordance with the 1997 Constitution and other laws of The Gambia.
The faction urged the government to immediately cease the “destruction, logging, and looting of the former president’s properties”, which it deems a violation of the MoU and a threat to the peace and security of The Gambia.