Amadou Kora, known as the Manding King, has denied role in selling off cattle belonging to former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, stating that he only offered advice on their pricing.

Kora’s denial follows accusations by Gambia’s Information Minister, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, who claimed that Kora was tasked by the commission to sell Jammeh’s cows.

In response, Kora stated that he only participated in advising on the pricing of the cows, which he said were being sold at low prices. He explained that he was at the auction site on his own initiative, after hearing about the sale through radio advertisements.

“I heard on the radio that Yahya Jammeh’s cows were going to be auctioned, so I traveled to Kanilai. When I arrived, I found them selling the cows. I met a man named Jallow and told him that the prices they were selling the cows for were too low,” he said.

“I didn’t buy any of Jammeh’s cows. I was only present to advise the sellers on fair pricing. I didn’t sell any cows, and I didn’t buy any either.”

“I have the right to be present and offer advice on the pricing of Jammeh’s cows, as someone who fought against the injustice and brutal rule of Jammeh for 22 years and endured the brunt of his leadership,” he added.

Responding directly to Dr. Ceesay, he said: “I want to tell Dr. Ismaila Ceesay to verify his facts, because he has no evidence to support his claim. I challenge him to provide proof against me. When they wanted to sell a cow for 5,000 dalasis, I would tell them, ‘No, sell it for 10,000 dalasis.’”

By Adama Makasuba