Admin l Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020
WASHINGTON – The United States of America has imposed sanctions on former First Lady of The Gambia, Zineb Souma Yahya Jammeh.
In a statement, Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo said the sanctions were imposed on the former first lady for supporting acts of corruption perpetrated by her husband, Yahya Jammeh.
Zineb Jammeh, the statement added is believed to control many of the overseas assets of her husband, Yahya Jammeh, the notoriously corrupt former leader of The Gambia, who was sanctioned by the Department of the Treasury in 2017.
“In addition, the State Department 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”, the statement said.
Pompeo said Zineb Jammeh is designated for her role in materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing support to her husband by utilizing a charitable foundation and charities as cover to facilitate the illicit transfer of funds to her husband.
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“This action designates Zineb Jammeh pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act”, he said, adding that the United States uses economic sanctions to promote accountability for those who assist or facilitate the corruption carried out by people like Yahya Jammeh, who abuse positions of power for their own personal gain.
