Africa-Press – Gambia. Finance Minister Seedy Keita appeared before the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on Friday, offering a measured but sometimes inconclusive account of how several aircraft linked to former President Yahya Jammeh were sold or disposed of.
The committee is reviewing the fate of assets tied to Mr. Jammeh, who ruled The Gambia for 22 years before fleeing into exile in 2017. Questions surrounding the number, ownership, and sale of aircraft associated with the former president have persisted for years, despite earlier inquiries by the Janneh Commission.
Pressed by lawmakers to clarify how many aircraft the state had sold, Mr. Keita said the Ministry of Finance had limited records. “I have no idea,” he said, noting that ministry files contain documentation for the sale of only two Air Tractor aircraft. Those sales, he said, were approved by the cabinet and authorized in writing by then-finance minister Amadou Sanneh.
He read from a letter addressed to Sankajula Holding Company, the buyer, confirming the cabinet’s approval and the agreed purchase price of $240,000. The funds, he said, were deposited into a Central Bank account designated for assets recovered from the Jammeh Commission’s work.
“We are pleased to convey approval for the sale of the above aircraft based on your offer of $240,000 total. Please make payment to the central bank and take possession of the aircraft.”
Minister Keita said this was paid to the Central Bank in an account named Asset Recovery from the Jammeh Commission.
When asked whether these were the only aircraft his ministry had sold, Mr. Keita said the summons he received requested documentation related solely to aircraft approved by the cabinet. “Well, this is what we have received in our summons to produce information and documentation related to the sale of aircraft belonging to the state and/or former president Yahya Jammeh. These are the two that had been duly approved by the cabinet, and the cabinet approval is equally attached.”
But the committee’s lead counsel, Aji Sainey Kah, noted that the Janneh Commission—which previously investigated Mr. Jammeh’s vast holdings—reported identifying six aircraft. Five were found at the Banjul International Airport, she said, and officials at the time indicated a sixth plane had been sent to Europe for maintenance.
“So the Janneh commission, in their visit to the airport, they found five, and they were informed that there was another aeroplane that belonged to the government and/or the former president that was in Europe for maintenance.”
Mr. Keita said ministry files reflected the sale of five aircraft, but contained no record of any plane in Germany. Civil Aviation authorities, he suggested, would be better positioned to confirm the aircraft’s whereabouts.
The counsel urged the minister to review the records thoroughly, noting that the committee is particularly interested in clarifying the status of the aircraft—whether it remains Gambian property and why it is still located in Germany. The minister agreed, adding that his office would also consult with the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority.
Counsel Kah informed the minister that Civil Aviation had already submitted evidence indicating that the aircraft was taken abroad for maintenance. She said the committee now seeks a clear explanation of the situation, pointing out that the Jammeh Commission received similar information about the aircraft being overseas eight years ago.
“I just consulted with my peers who have been briefed that the aircraft is still in Germany. But I asked him to write formally to get a response from Civil Aviation to state that. Which we will do next week,” Minister Keita said.
He added that the committee had also been informed that the aircraft in question had accumulated substantial parking fees. He said the ministry would formally update the committee on the status of the aircraft.
Regarding the three other aircraft, the minister confirmed that they were sold for $500,000 to Sankajula Holding Company Limited. He said the terms of the sale required full cash payment and stipulated that the aircraft be removed from the airport premises within three months of the transaction’s completion.
However, counsel informed the minister that, based on both the committee’s findings and its own investigations, two of the three aircraft remain at the airport. The minister responded that the matter would be investigated and clarified.
The minister further disclosed that a military fighter jet was sold in 2022—while he was serving as finance minister—for $150,000. He said the proceeds were deposited into the Ministry of Finance’s revenue account.
He was then asked to clarify where the proceeds from the other aircraft sales were deposited.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
