The Gambian authorities have received approximately $2.5 million recovered from the sale of a mansion in the United States linked to former president Yahya Jammeh, with the funds designated to compensate victims of abuses committed during his 22-year rule.
The Gambia Reparations Commission announced on October 20 that it had received the proceeds from the sale of the property in Potomac, Maryland. The commission said the money had been deposited into the Reparations Fund at the Central Bank of The Gambia and would be used exclusively for reparations.
The development follows legal proceedings in the United States to recover assets allegedly purchased with proceeds of corruption connected to Jammeh and his associates. 
According to the “US Department of Justice”, the property was forfeited and sold following a civil case alleging that Jammeh and his wife used misappropriated Gambian public funds and other criminal proceeds to acquire the mansion.
Funds to Support Victims of Past Abuses
The reparations programme was established to provide compensation to people harmed during Jammeh’s rule, which ended in 2017 after he lost the 2016 presidential election and left the country following pressure from regional leaders.
Victims and human rights organisations have documented abuses during his time in office, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, and killings. A commission of inquiry estimated that between 240 and 250 people were killed by Jammeh’s forces.
Jammeh, who now lives in Equatorial Guinea, has faced longstanding allegations over abuses committed under his government.
The Gambia Reparations Commission said the recovered money would be managed responsibly and transparently, with attention to the rights and needs of victims and survivors.
Sirra Ndow, director of the Alliance of Victim-Led Organizations, described the return of the funds as an important step towards justice and reparations for those affected.
How the US Recovered the Money
The US Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint in 2020 alleging that the mansion had been purchased with proceeds linked to corruption. The property was subsequently forfeited and liquidated through legal proceedings.
In September 2026, the US government announced that approximately $2.5 million in net proceeds would be returned to The Gambia for compensation under the country’s Victims Reparations Act of 2023.
The case highlights how asset-recovery proceedings can help return funds linked to alleged corruption for the benefit of people harmed by abuses of public office.
However, the return of the money does not resolve every outstanding question concerning accountability for abuses during Jammeh’s presidency. The effectiveness of the reparations process will also depend on how eligible victims are identified, how payments are allocated, and whether the funds reach those who need them.
