The Government of The Gambia and the United States have signed an agreement on the transfer and use of funds recovered from the forfeiture of former President Yahya Jammeh’s property in Potomac, Maryland, for reparations to victims of his regime.

The Attorney General’s Chambers announced the agreement in a press release dated 18 September 2026, describing it as an important step in The Gambia’s transitional justice and reparations process.

Under the agreement, the recovered funds will be transferred to the Reparations Fund at the Central Bank of The Gambia. The fund is independently administered by the Reparations Commission.

The Potomac property was forfeited by the US government following legal proceedings that were informed, among other things, by findings of The Gambia’s Commission of Inquiry into the Financial Activities of Public Bodies, Enterprises and Offices as Regards their Dealings with Former President Yahya Jammeh and Connected Matters, commonly known as the Janneh Commission.

The US Department of Justice secured the forfeiture of the Maryland property in 2022, saying it had been acquired with approximately $3.5 million in alleged corruption proceeds linked to Jammeh.

The Attorney General’s Chambers said the recovered funds would be used to provide redress to victims who suffered harm during Jammeh’s rule.

“The Government considers the recovery of these funds and their use for reparations an important demonstration of its commitment to victim-centred justice, accountability and transparency,” the statement said.

The government also expressed appreciation to the United States for its cooperation in recovering and repatriating the funds.

It said it would continue working with national and international partners to recover additional assets and ensure that such assets ultimately benefit Gambians.

The agreement follows recent government disclosures that the United States was preparing to transfer proceeds from the sale of Jammeh’s Potomac mansion to The Gambia for reparations.

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission identified 1,009 victims for compensation.

As of 7 September 2026, 112 victims or their families had received full compensation, according to Justice Minister Dawda Jallow.

Jammeh ruled The Gambia from 1994 until his departure in January 2017.