Gambia's ex-leader made off with millions, luxury cars

Published: 17:04 EDT, 22 January 2017 | Updated: 17:05 EDT, 22 January 2017

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BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Exiled Gambian ruler Yahya Jammeh stole millions of dollars in his final weeks in power, plundering the state coffers and shipping out luxury vehicles by cargo plane, a special adviser for the new president said Sunday.

Meanwhile, a regional military force rolled in, greeted by cheers, to secure this tiny West African nation so that democratically elected President Adama Barrow could return home. He remained in neighboring Senegal, where he took the oath of office Thursday because of concerns for his safety.

At a press conference in the Senegalese capital, Barrow's special adviser Mai Ahmad Fatty told journalists that the president "will return home as soon as possible."

ECOWAS Senegalese troops hold their position near to the presidential palace in the Gambian capital Banjul, Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country into exile. People in Gambia's capital await the arrival of the country's new leader Adama Barrow. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Underscoring the challenges facing the new administration, Fatty confirmed that Jammeh made off with more than $11.4 million during a two-week period alone. That is only what they have discovered so far since Jammeh and his family took an offer of exile after more than 22 years in power and departed late Saturday.

"The Gambia is in financial distress. The coffers are virtually empty. That is a state of fact," Fatty said. "It has been confirmed by technicians in the ministry of finance and the Central Bank of the Gambia."

Fatty also confirmed that a Chadian cargo plane had transported luxury goods out of the country on Jammeh's behalf in his final hours in power, including an unknown number of vehicles.

Fatty said officials at the Gambia airport have been ordered not to allow any of Jammeh's belongings to leave. Separately, it appeared that some of his goods remained in Guinea, where Jammeh and his closest allies stopped on their flight into exile.

Fatty said officials "regret the situation," but it appeared that the major damage had been done, leaving the new government with little recourse to recoup the funds.

The unpredictable Jammeh, known for startling declarations like his claim that bananas and herbal rubs could cure AIDS, went into exile under mounting international pressure, with a wave to supporters as soldiers wept. He is now in Equatorial Guinea, home to Africa's longest-serving ruler and not a state party to the International Criminal Court.

Jammeh's dramatic about-face on his December election loss to Barrow, at first conceding and then challenging the vote, appeared to be the final straw for the international community, which had been alarmed by his moves in recent years to declare an Islamic republic and leave the Commonwealth and the ICC.

Barrow's adviser disavowed a joint declaration issued after Jammeh's departure by the United Nations, African Union and West African regional bloc ECOWAS that bestowed a number of protections upon Jammeh, his family and his associates — including the assurance that their lawful assets would not be seized.

"As far as we're concerned, it doesn't exist," Fatty said.

The declaration also said Jammeh's exile was "temporary" and that he reserved the right to return to Gambia at the time of his choosing.

Although the declaration was written to provide Jammeh with maximum protection, it doesn't give him amnesty, according to international human rights lawyer Reed Brody.

"Under international law in fact you can't amnesty certain crimes like torture and massive or systematic political killings," he said in an email. "Depending where Jammeh ends up, though, the real obstacles to holding him accountable will be political."

Barrow will now begin forming a Cabinet and working with Gambia's national assembly to reverse the state of emergency Jammeh declared in his final days in power, said Halifa Sallah, spokesman for the coalition backing the new leader.

The president's official residence, State House, needs to be cleared of any possible hazards before Barrow arrives, Sallah added.

The regional military force that had been poised to force out Jammeh if diplomatic efforts failed rolled into Gambia's capital, Banjul, on Sunday night to secure it for Barrow's arrival.

Hundreds greeted the force's approach to State House, cheering and dancing, while some people grabbed soldiers to take selfies.

The force will remain in the country "until such time the security general situation is comprehensively redressed," Barrow said in a statement.

Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the regional bloc, said part of Gambia's security forces needed to be "immobilized," and he confirmed that Jammeh had had mercenaries by his side during the standoff. The former leader also had requested "a sort of amnesty" for him and his entourage and had wanted to remain in his home village, de Souza said.

With Jammeh gone, a country that had waited in silence during the crisis sprang back to life. Shops and restaurants opened, music played and people danced in the streets.

Defense chief Ousmane Badjie said the military welcomed the arrival of the regional force "wholeheartedly." With proper orders, he said, he would open the doors to the notorious prisons where rights groups say many who have disappeared over the years may be kept.

"We are going to show Barrow we are really armed forces with a difference, I swear to God," Badjie said. "I have the Quran with me."

Some of the 45,000 people who had fled the tiny country during the crisis began to return. The nation of 1.9 million, which promotes itself to overseas tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa," has been a major source of migrants heading toward Europe because of the situation at home.

"I think it will be safer now," said 20-year-old Kaddy Saidy, who was returning to Banjul with her three young children.

Barrow, who has promised to reverse many of Jammeh's actions, told The Associated Press on Saturday he will launch a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate alleged human rights abuses of Jammeh's regime. Rights groups say those include arbitrary detentions, torture and even killing of opponents.

"After 22 years of fear, Gambians now have a unique opportunity to become a model for human rights in West Africa," Amnesty International's deputy director for West and Central Africa, Steve Cockburn, said in a statement Sunday.

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Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press writers Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal; Youssouf Bah in Conakry, Guinea; and Abdoulie John and photographer Jerome Delay in Banjul contributed.

People cheer as ECOWAS Senegalese troops take position outside the state house in the Gambian capital Banjul Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh went into exile. ECOWAS troops are moving in to prepare for the return of newly installed President Adama Barrow. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

People cheer as ECOWAS Senegalese troops take position outside the state house in the Gambian capital Banjul, Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh went into exile. ECOWAS troops are moving in to prepare for the return of newly installed President Adama Barrow. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

People cheer as ECOWAS Senegalese troops take position near to the state house in the Gambian capital Banjul Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh went into exile. ECOWAS troops are moving in to prepare for the return of newly installed President Adama Barrow. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A woman poses in front of ECOWAS Senegalese troops near to the state house in the Gambian capital Banjul Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh went into exile. ECOWAS troops are moving in to prepare for the return of newly installed President Adama Barrow. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

ECOWAS Senegalese troops hold their position in Barra, across from the Gambian capital Banjul Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country. Gambia's capital was awaiting the arrival of the country's new leader and an era of democracy, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile with an extraordinary set of assurances from the international community. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

ECOWAS Senegalese troops hold their position in Barra, across from the Gambian capital Banjul Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh departed from the country. ECOWAS troops are moving in to prepare for the return of newly installed President Adama Barrow.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

ECOWAS Senegalese troops hold their position in Barra, across from the Gambian capital Banjul Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country. ¿Gambia's capital was awaiting the arrival of the country's new leader and an era of democracy, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile with an extraordinary set of assurances from the international community. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambian soldiers object to having their picture taken as they leave a ferry that also brought back people returning to the city in Banjul, Gambia, Sunday Jan. 22, 2017. Gambia's capital on Sunday was awaiting the arrival of Adama Barrow as the country's new leader, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22-years Yahya Jammeh fly into exile. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A ferry carrying people who fled Gambia arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia, Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country. Gambia's capital on Sunday was awaiting the arrival of the country's new leader and an era of democracy, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile with an extraordinary set of assurances from the international community. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambian Armed Forces Chief Ousmane Bargie, center, arrives at the ferry terminal in Banjul, Gambia, Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country. Gambia's capital on Sunday was awaiting the arrival of the country's new leader and an era of democracy, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile with an extraordinary set of assurances from the international community. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

People who fled and just returned by ferry board buses to their homes at the port in Banjul, Gambia, Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country. Gambia's capital on Sunday was awaiting the arrival of the country's new leader and an era of democracy, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile with an extraordinary set of assurances from the international community. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A ferry carrying people who fled Gambia arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia ,Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country. Gambia's capital on Sunday was awaiting the arrival of the country's new leader and an era of democracy, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile with an extraordinary set of assurances from the international community. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A ferry bringing back people who fled arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia, Sunday Jan. 22, 2017, one day after Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh left the country. Gambia's capital on Sunday was awaiting the arrival of the country's new leader and an era of democracy, hours after the authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile with an extraordinary set of assurances from the international community.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh departs at Banjul airport Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

In this image taken from video, Gambia's new president Adama Barrow talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Dakar, Senegal, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, just hours after Yahya Jammeh agreed to step down from office. Barrow said Saturday that he will launch a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the alleged human rights abuses of Yahya Jammeh's 22-year regime. (AP Photo)

A ferry bringing back people who fled arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia as it reopens Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. life slowly returns to the Gambian capital as Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave.AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh waves to supporters as he departs at Banjul airport Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A ferry bringing back people who fled arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia, as it reopens Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. life slowly returns to the Gambian capital as Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)