Mrs. Zineb Jammeh, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014.  Wikipedia (White House Photo)

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The United States imposed economic sanctions on Zineb Souma Yahya Jammeh, the former first lady of The Gambia , for her alleged role in supporting  the notoriously corrupt former president  of the tiny West African nation.  Zineb Jammeh is believed to control many of the overseas assets of her husband, Yahya Jammeh, who was sanctioned by the Department of the Treasury in 2017, according to the U.S. Department of State. In addition, the U.S. designated Zineb Jammeh in December 2018 under Section 7031(c) of the annual appropriations bill as an immediate family member of Yahya Jammeh, who was concurrently designated for his involvement in significant corruption.  Their children are also ineligible for entry into the United States as a result of the 2018 designation. During his tenure, President Jammeh used a number of corrupt schemes to plunder The Gambia’s state coffers or otherwise siphon off state funds for his personal gain, according to the U.S Department of The Treasury.  At the time of his designation, ongoing investigations revealed Jammeh’s large-scale theft from state coffers prior to his departure.

“According to The Gambia’s Justice Ministry, Jammeh personally, or through others acting under his instructions, directed the unlawful withdrawal of at least $50 million of state funds.”

-U.S. Department of The Treasury

U.S. Property in Maryland Purchased With $3,500,000 in Corruption Money:  DOT

The Gambian Government had since taken action to freeze Jammeh’s assets within The Gambia, according to the DOT.  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 DOT said.  Zineb is also believed to be in charge of most of Jammeh’s assets around the world, and utilized a charitable foundation as cover to facilitate the illicit transfer of funds to her husband. The Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint on July 15, 2020, seeking the forfeiture of a Maryland property acquired with approximately $3,500,000 in corruption proceeds by Jammeh, through a trust set up by his wife, Zineb.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia, and Mrs. Zineb Jammeh, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014. [Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon] 

The U.S. action designates Zineb Jammeh pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.  According to the Department of State, the U.S uses economic sanctions to promote accountability for those who assist or facilitate the corruption carried out by those like Yahya Jammeh, who abuse their positions of power for their own personal gain.