By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
The Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Hon Ousainu Darboe has declared over D31 Million in assets to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Monday 1st November 2021. The former Vice President challenged all Aspirants, especially President Adama Barrow to declare their assets publicly.
Hon Darboe was appointed as the Foreign Affairs Minister in early 2017. The following year Hon Darboe was appointed as the Vice President replacing Hon Fatoumatta Tambajang for approximately one year.
Speaking to journalist Omar Wally after submitting his Nomination Documents to the Commission Hon Darboe told journalists that he would have provided the media with a copy of his asset declaration and promised to do so.
Hon Darboe told the media “unfortunately, I didn’t bring a copy [of his asset declaration]. I was going to give the media but before the end of the day, I’ll give the media a copy of my asset declaration. I’m challenging all candidates, particularly President Adama Barrow to also release his asset declaration to the media so that even before Saturday the public will start scrutinising our asset declaration”.
In an interview with Kerr Fatou published on Wednesday 3rd, November 2021 Hon Ousainu Darboe brought his Asset Declaration and made it available to the public. It can be recalled that a publication was also featured on Kerr Fatou titled “UDP Leader Declares his Assets Worth Millions of Dalasi” which details Hon Darboe’s assets.
On Saturday 6th November 2021 Gambians had the opportunity to review the Asset Declaration of every aspirant. According to the asset declaration submitted by Ousainu A.N.M Darboe, the valuation of his assets comes to over D31,051,524.
The majority of Mr Darboe’s assets are in properties including one house and eight plots of land that come to a grand total of just over D24 million. Mr Darboe’s largest single asset is his House at 57 Kairaba Avenue which he acquired in 1975 and valued at D10 million. This is the only house that Mr Darboe has declared in his asset declaration form. The rest of his properties are eight plots of land which come to a grand total of D14,050,000. Mr Darboe’s most expensive land property is in Serrekundading and Sanyang which are both valued at D4 million each. Mr Darboe declared a significant amount of household effects which comes to a total of D2,042,000.
With regards to vehicles, Mr Darboe has declared ownership of five vehicles which comes to a combined D3,550,000. The highest valued vehicle owned by Mr Darboe is a 2020 Nissan Prado valued at D1.5 million. Mr Darboe has five Bank Accounts included in his asset declaration which comes to a total of D1,409,524 with four accounts based in The Gambia and one based in the United States of America. The declaration shows that Mr Darboe’s savings account in the Bank of America contains $11,942 which comes to D587,128 (at a rate of D50 per $1).
The Asset Declaration reviewed by Gainako Online news is dated 29th October 2021, only three days before Mr Darboe submitted his Nomination Forms to the Commission.
Editors Note: An earlier version of this publication noted that Hon Darboe’s assets were not declared voluntarily. This was proven to be false after viewing an interview with Kerr Fatou where the UDP Leader openly declared his assets to the Media and challenged other Candidates to declare their assets publicly.
Gainako has published another two Asset Declaration of Presidential Candidate Essa Mbye Faal and Presidential Aspirant Dr Ismaila Ceesay of the Citizens Alliance. Both publications can all be accessed at the links below.
CA’s Dr Ceesay Declares Assets of Almost D18 Million to the IEC
Billionaire Candidate Essa Faal Declares Over D1.4 BILLION to IEC
