Traditional Leaders End Protest Against AML, Remove Roadblocks

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Traditional leaders in Nimba County have agreed to remove all roadblocks they instituted against the operations of ArcelorMittal Liberia in the County, paving the way for dialogue between the communities and the company.

Normal activities of the world iron ore mining giant were halted for days in Nimba County due to sustained protests from host communities backed by their traditional society. 

The communities, mainly from Sehyi, Yarmein, and Zor Chiefdoms accused the company of not living up to the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) signed with the Government of Liberia and its social corporate responsibility to the communities.

They are demanding improved roads connecting the communities, employment of locals, restoration of facilities in Yekepa, as well as resolving environmental, water, sewage, and health conditions.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protest prompted an urgent visit of Internal Affairs Minister, Honorable Francis Sakila Nyumalin, Sr who led a delegation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Concession (IMCC), whose intervention led to the end of the protest and removing of roadblocks traditional leaders.

At a well-attended townhall meeting held in Gbaleayee Town, Yarmein District, on Saturday, May 11, the Internal Affairs Minister and the team listened to all sides of the protest including women, youth, advocacy, and civil society groups, chiefs, and traditional leaders, among others. 

The Minister held separate consultative engagements with traditional leaders it was agreed to end the protest and remove roadblocks. 

According to the release, the Minister announced that ArcelorMittal will begin road rehabilitation works immediately, while they commence dialogue for the other demands.

He requested the affected communities to form a committee that will engage with the management of ArcelorMittal on a count-by-count basis for each demand beginning with the first dialogue scheduled for Sunday, May 12, in Yekepa.

Honorable Nyumalin said he wants the company to sit with the communities for dialogue while fostering social cohesion.

The Internal Affairs Minister frowned on the use of traditional society for protest purposes, saying that while the Government would demand concessions to fulfill obligations, the Government does not encourage the use of tradition as a substitute for the rule of law. 

Saturday’s engagement was attended by Honorable Edwin Dennis, head of the National Bureau of Concession, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Mines & Energy, Representative of Electoral District Number Three, Nehker Gaye along with Representation Nyan Flomo of Nimba District Number Two and local government officials of Nimba County, among others.

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