Supporters Reject Corruption Allegations Against Colonel Musa Jammeh

Written by: Dawda Baldeh

Supporters of Colonel Musa Jammeh, Director of Finance of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), have rejected allegations linking him to corruption, abuse of office and the alleged diversion of public funds.

The response follows comments made by Brikama Area Council councillor Sheriffo Bayo Sonko, popularly known as Sonko Gambia, in the wake of the resignation of the Chief of Defence Staff over corruption allegations.

Sonko has raised concerns about the management of salary deductions introduced for sports development within the GAF, the financing of Falcons Football Club, founded and led by Colonel Jammeh, and sporting infrastructure linked to the club, as well as alleged deductions from housing allowances paid to soldiers. The allegations have been disputed by supporters of Colonel Jammeh.

In a statement, supporters of the military officer said allegations linking him to the management or alleged misuse of soldiers’ salary deductions for sports development were unfounded.

“These allegations appear to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a distinguished military officer whose record of service, professionalism and integrity spans several decades,” the statement said.

According to the statement, salary deductions within the military cannot be introduced by an individual officer and must first be approved by Command before being implemented through established military procedures.

The statement further said deductions introduced in April 2026 to support sports development within the GAF were approved through a board decision and were not initiated by Colonel Jammeh.

“Colonel Musa Jammeh neither administers these funds nor exercises control over their utilisation. Consequently, any attempt to associate him with the management, let alone the alleged mismanagement, of these resources is entirely unfounded and misleading.”

The statement also rejected claims that public funds had been used to finance Falcons Football Club or sporting facilities linked to the club.

Supporters argued that Falcons FC has generated revenue through player transfers to clubs in Africa and Europe and that those proceeds have supported the club’s operations and development.

“These transfers have generated substantial revenues that have been reinvested into the club’s development, infrastructure and welfare programmes for players and technical staff.”

According to the statement, infrastructure projects linked to the club have been financed through transfer revenues and investments from co-owners and partners in The Gambia and the diaspora.

“Any suggestion that such projects are funded through public resources or military funds is categorically false.”

The statement also disputed allegations that soldiers residing in military barracks have been subjected to deductions from housing allowances since January 2025.

According to the statement, housing allowances are paid only to personnel who are not accommodated in military barracks and are required to rent privately.

“Personnel who are already accommodated in barracks are not entitled to receive house rent allowance in the first instance.”

The statement added that claims of deductions from such allowances were therefore incorrect.

“The suggestion that house rent allowances are being deducted from soldiers residing on military campuses is not only factually incorrect but also reflects a lack of appreciation of the very purpose for which the allowance exists.”

The statement also alleged that the accusations were politically motivated and linked to Colonel Jammeh’s bid for the Gambia Football Federation presidency.

“The public should therefore view these allegations for what they are: a politically motivated smear campaign intended to damage the reputation of Colonel Musa Jammeh.”

It further alleged that some of those advancing the accusations have aligned themselves with rival interests in the football election race.

While acknowledging the importance of public scrutiny and democratic debate, the statement called for allegations to be supported by evidence and warned against the spread of misinformation.

“Public figures have a responsibility to ensure that allegations are supported by verifiable facts rather than conjecture, political expediency or personal bias.”

The statement concluded by defending Colonel Jammeh’s record and calling for public debate to be based on what it described as verifiable facts.

The statement added: “Those seeking to challenge his vision or aspirations should do so on the basis of ideas, programmes and performance, not through the propagation of unfounded allegations designed solely to mislead the public and undermine a reputation built through years of dedicated service.”