Gambia — Taiwan’s Monetary SatGamble

The Republic of China (Taiwan) has donated more than US$3 million to the Gambia government as part of their seemingly endless contributions towards the country’s national television satellite project. The presentation ceremony, which was held at State House in Banjul, Monday January 11th 2010, was accomplished by the Taiwanese ambassador to Banjul, Richard Shih.

Gambia’s President, Yahya Jammeh

This is just one in a series of presentations completed by the Taiwanese diplomat on behalf of his country, which has become one of the Gambia’s key international donors. However, concerns have been raised about the fate of monies countries like Taiwan pump into the Gambian coffers in the name of developing the country’s infrastructures. Some officials within the Gambian government have been expressing doubts as to whether President Jammeh would put these monies to their expected right use, such as the satellite project, considering his unbending urge for diverting funds for his own personal use.

Critics point out that Yahya Jammeh has suddenly become one of the richest, if not the richest person, in the country, a fact the Gambian leader is on record boasting about. Jammeh owns so many business interests in the country now that not all of them are identified as his. A top government official close to the heart of State House remarked that Yahya Jammeh has sent so many top officials to jail for stealing, yet he remains one of the most senior thieves in the country, ‘‘only that he takes it openly and nobody dares question.’’

‘‘Considering his background and financial status before July 1994,’’ another man said, ‘‘it is absurd and out of place to see Jammeh play with money the way he does, when he hardly even had a bank account before becoming head of state by overthrowing a democratically elected government. Today, he has become one of the richest presidents in the sub-region.’’ (Source: Freedom Newspaper, Gambia, James Jammeh)