By Abdallah Khabib Jallow
The sudden arrest and detention of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) protesters—who were simply demanding transparency in the sale of ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh’s properties—exposed a rotten truth: President Adama Barrow’s government has been hiding something big. And now, after public outrage, Barrow has conveniently called an “emergency cabinet meeting” to discuss the very issue he ignored for years. Coincidence? Hardly.
1. Barrow Knew the Sales Were Unjustifiable
For years, the Barrow administration has refused to disclose the buyers and prices of Jammeh’s seized assets, despite repeated demands from activists, journalists, and even the National Assembly. Why? Because the sales reek of corruption.
- No Public Bidding: The sales were conducted in secrecy, with no competitive bidding process. Who got these properties? Cronies? Barrow allies?
- Undervalued Prices: Reliable sources suggest some properties were sold for a fraction of their real value—classic signs of a sweetheart deal.
If everything was above board, why hide the details?
2. The “Fake Documents” Excuse Was a Calculated Move
The government’s excuse for not releasing the sales documents has been that they “need verification.” But let’s be real—Barrow’s own task force handled these sales. If the documents are questionable, who created them?
- Did the government deliberately produce fake records to conceal who really benefited?
- Or was this a stall tactic until public pressure died down?
Either way, Barrow cannot claim ignorance. He approved these sales. He benefited politically from the liquidation of Jammeh’s empire. Now, he’s scrambling to look concerned—only because protesters forced his hand.
3. The Emergency Cabinet Meeting? A Political Theater
Barrow’s sudden urgency is suspiciously timed. After:
✔ GALA protesters were arrested unjustly (only to be released when backlash grew),
✔ Public anger boiled over on social media and radio talkshows,
✔ International observers began questioning The Gambia’s commitment to transparency…
Now he calls a crisis meeting? Please.
This is damage control, not accountability. If Barrow truly cared about justice, he would:
- Immediately release ALL sales documents—no redactions.
- Investigate the buyers—are they politically connected?
- Fire officials involved in shady deals—if any were truly unauthorized.
But will he? Doubtful.
4 Bottom Line: Barrow Must Come Clean or Resign
The Gambian people deserve the truth. If Barrow had nothing to hide, the documents would have been public years ago. Instead, his government arrested peaceful protesters, lied about fake paperwork, and is now pretending to act shocked over sales they authorized.
This emergency meeting is a farce. Either Barrow exposes the full truth—or he admits he’s just another leader protecting the corrupt system he once promised to dismantle.
Enough games. Release the files.
What’s Next?
- Will the National Assembly subpoena the sales records?
- Will the ECOWAS Court step in if Gambians are denied justice?
- Or will Barrow’s government continue covering up while arresting more protesters?
The people are watching.
Abdallah Khabib Jallow is a columnist and advocate for transparency and justice in The Gambia. Follow @KhabibAbdallah for more sharp analysis.
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