The U.S. Treasury on Tuesday announced that sanctions have been imposed on Zineb Jammeh, the wife of Gambia’s former president, Yahya Jammeh.
In a statement the US government said Zineb is being hit with U.S. sanctions for her role in the collapse of the Gambian economy during the reign of her husband for over two decades.
“Zineb has reportedly been instrumental in aiding and abetting Jammeh’s economic crimes against the country, and despite numerous calls for Zineb to intervene, has turned a blind eye to Jammeh’s human rights abuses,” the statement said.
The Gambian Justice Ministry has said that Yahya Jammeh stole at least $50 million of state funds during his tenure.
The U.S. Treasury said much of Jammeh’s remaining assets are controlled by his wife Zineb.
It said money, often delivered to Jammeh through massive cash withdrawals from bank accounts were not in his name.
Jammeh was able to purchase of a $3.5 million mansion in the eastern U.S. state of Maryland, through a trust set up by Zineb.
Zineb is in charge of most of Jammeh’s assets around the world, according to the U.S. Treasury said.
Jammeh’s reign ended in 2017 when he was forced into exile after losing an election to current president, Adama Barrow.
Source: Africafeeds.com
