Categories: Africa news

Gambia: At Least $11 Million Missing After Yahya Jammeh Flies Into Exile

An adviser to Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow has said that more than $11 million is missing from the state coffers following the departure of long-time leader Yahya Jammeh.

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 Yahya Jammeh left The Gambia.

Yahya Jammeh flew into exile on January 21, ending his 22 years in power.

The former leader had refused to accept election results but finally left after mediation by regional leaders and the threat of military intervention.

President Adama Barrow remains in neighboring Senegal and it is not clear when he will return.

Image source Wikimedia

However, West African troops entered the Gambian capital, Banjul, on January 22 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”.

Mai Ahmad 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.”

Mai Ahmad Fatty said Yahya Jammeh had made off with more than $11 million in the past two weeks alone.

He said officials at The Gambia’s main airport had been told not to let any of Yahya Jammeh’s belongings leave the country.

Reports said some of Yahya Jammeh’s goods were in Guinea where he had stopped on his journey into exile.

Yahya Jammeh is reported to now be in Equatorial Guinea, although authorities there have not confirmed it.

The former president had initially accepted Adama Barrow’s election win on December 1st, 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.

Roy Siemens

Roy likes politics. Knowledge is power, Roy constantly says, so he spends nearly all day gathering information and writing articles about the latest events around the globe. He likes history and studying about war techniques, this is why he finds writing his articles a piece of cake. Another hobby of his is horse – riding.

Share
Published by
Roy Siemens

Recent Posts

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Celebrate Election Victory at UFC 309

Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…

5 days ago

White House 2024: Donald Trump Wins, Kamala Harris Calls Him to Concede Election

Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Donald Trump Declares Victory as He Addresses Jubilant Supporters in Florida

Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…

2 weeks ago

Stocks Soaring as Donald Trump Closes in on US Victory

Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Kamala Harris Cancels Election Night Party as Path to Victory Narrows

Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…

2 weeks ago

Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…

2 weeks ago