IPNeqs-Margibi County: Moses K. Yah, Town Chief of Dokai-Ta speaking to journalists
Weala, Margibi County-On December 18, 2020, a group of protesters attacked and chased-out some land rights activists from communities near Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) in Margibi County, in violation to their Constitutional rights to move freely.
Land rights campaigners from the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Liberia or Green Advocates International (GAI) were attacked and denied access to communities near the plantation by men now confirmed to be contractors of the rubber grower.
GAI represents the legal interest of local communities in Margibi and Bong counties affected by SRC’s operation and expansion in 2008.
SRC, a member of Luxembourg based Socfin Group holds a concession of over 40,000 hectares in central Liberia, is being investigated for land grab, economic displacement and loss of livelihood, labor rights violation, gender-based violence and threats of reprisals and intimidation.
The International Financial Corporation (IFC)’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) is looking into complaint filed 2019 to it by GAI and her partners including Alliance for Rural Democracy (ARD), the Natural Resources Women Platform, and Yeagbamah National Congress for Human Rights on behalf of affected communities.
In 2008, the company received US$ 10 million loan from the IFC. Portion of that loan was used to relocate several communities without Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to develop 3,640 acres of new rubber plantation.
SRC management has since denied evicting towns and villages to develop its plantation.
But, in the absence of a finding into the complaint, SRC management has deployed strategies to scare activists and local people from further pursuing the charges leveled against Liberia’s fourth-largest rubber producer.
Part of the plots, which includes a ‘divide and rule’ tactic, is the alleged hiring of some residents and contractors to attack and disrupt a planned citizens meeting with GAI staff.
Investigation unearthed that the company management paid some protesters and promised some with jobs when operation resumes.
The scheme, according to our investigation is intended to maintain control over affected citizens kicking against the company’s operation by encouraging dissent among residents, thereby preventing them from uniting in opposition to its operation.
When contacted via phone, Jallah Mensah, SRC Human Resource Manager said he cannot speak to the issue since he’s on vacation.
Some citizens were also caught-up in the December 18; SRC’s sponsored melee.
Quita George, 41 narrowly escaped the attacks and flee through the dense rubber plantation to safety.
“The group was so large. They attacked me and wanted to harm me, but I ran faster into the rubber farm and made my way to the village,” Madam George, a mother of five and a resident of Dokai Ta said.
Quita George, 41 narrowly escaped the attacks
She said the men’s action validates section of their complaint to the IFC that speaks about the constant intimidations, threats and harassment of local people by SRC.
Chanting anti-GAI slogans, the protesters also attacked activist Paul Larry George, Chairman of the Alliance for Rural Democracy (ARD), who is now in hiding after strange men repeatedly visited his home in Monrovia following the attack.
Mr. George and other GAI team members had taken visiting Cameroonian award-winning environmental and human rights activist Nasako Besingi to SRC to share his experiences with the locals on how to collectively fight multi-national corporations in the face of massive exploration and abuse when they were attacked.
Like George, some community members including Abraham Pennue were also chased to unknown areas and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Penneh, a local land rights activist went into hiding when a group of protesters stormed his home, residents said since then they haven’t seen him.
Efforts to get to him via phone have failed.
Dokai Ta Town Chief, Moses K. Yah said that the company’s sponsored protest action, which is meant to scare residents into submission, has made them stronger in their advocacy for their land.
Although some residents are said to be living in fear since the attack, Chief Yah is encouraging GAI staff and Mr. George of the ARD not to relent in their advocacy for citizens’ rights.
“It’s because of GAI that we are here. Had it not been for their campaign, SRC was going to evict us from all our land,” Mr. George added.
He demanded SRC leave their land and pay compensation for their crops they destroyed during their expansion era.
This paper has reliably learnt that several protesters were arrested following the institution of a lawsuit by GAI. The Baypolu Magisterial Court, which sits in Weala disclosed that those arrested were released on bond and wait trial.
