Gambian lawmakers have voiced divisions over the selection of members for a parliamentary committee set up to investigate the sale of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.

The proposed six-member special select committee is to be chaired by Abdoulie Ceesay, the MP for Old Yundum. Madi Ceesay, member for Serrekunda West is named as vice-chairperson, with Omar Jammeh, member for Janjanbureh, Suwaibou Touray, member for Wuli East, Sheriff Sarr, member for Jeshwang, and nominated MP Kebba Lang Fofana also selected.

But the list has been met with criticism from several MPs, who raised concerns over a lack of gender representation and the selection criteria.

Alhagie Babou Ceesay, the MP for Sabach Sanjal, rejected the list outright.

“Gender representation is important. We must have women included in the committee. I don’t think this is fair, and I reject and dismiss this selection,” he said.

Almameh Gibba, who represents Kansala, questioned the makeup of the committee and suggested Suwaibou Touray should serve as chair instead.

“We need seriousness in this matter and the right people for the job. If we are advocating for fairness, a female representative should be on the list,” he told parliament.

Bakary Badjie, MP for Foni Bintang, also condemned the selection. “I am against this selection today, tomorrow, and forever,” he declared. “If you know you are always out of the country, please tell us so we can remove you.”

He too supported the idea of appointing Mr Touray as chair.

Sanimentereng MP Fatou Cham and Jeshwang MP Sheriff Sarr also raised concerns about the absence of women on the committee.

Modou Lamin Bah, who represents Banjul North, criticised the process as discriminatory.

“It seems like we don’t have a competent woman to be in the committee, which is not fair,” he said.

He also warned any overly busy members to step aside if they could not commit to the task.

The committee was formed in response to mounting public pressure over the handling of assets seized from Mr Jammeh, who ruled The Gambia.

By Adama Makasuba