Sources close to the Boakai’s government informed the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper that continued acts of gangsterism by accomplices of Boima Morgan are counterproductive to the much-needed direct Foreign investment in the country. It sends wrong signals to potential investors which would be expected to look Liberia’s way from the representation of President Boakai at the US-Africa Business meeting.

Additionally, diplomatic sources also hint at uneasiness over the government of Liberia’s unresponsiveness to the fracas amidst continuing lawlessness in Nimba County allegedly facilitated by Boima Morgan who remains backed by senior elements of the Weah’s regime.

Questions are now being asked why the silence of the most prominent son of the county, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung in the wake of mounting tension prevailing in the county, especially following his successful interventions when the motorcyclist threatened unspecified action in the wake of police determination to enforce the ‘no go zone’ restrictions for motorcycle and tricycles playing into the main city center.

Moreover, in February 2024, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung swiftly intervened in the protest crisis of AFL soldier’s wives, adverting a national calamity.

It can be recalled, that early this week some allegedly hired community dwellers and traditional masked devils under the alleged direction of Boima Morgan besieged ArcelorMittal Liberia facilities in Nimba county threatening to kill and harm workers and other peaceful residents. They ransacked offices and other facilities earlier on Monday morning, May 6th, tensions reached a boiling point as those allegedly paid by Boima and others, under his direction, deployed traditional ‘country devil’ at ArcelorMittal mines. The devils erected makeshift roadblocks at major entrances to the mines and Blei-Detton exploration areas preventing the movement of people, vehicles, and equipment.

ArcelorMittal Liberia has stated that these disruptions have hampered operations and raised concerns about the safety of its personnel and the broader community in the Nimba mining areas.

Efforts by local authorities to intervene and negotiate with the protesters have so far yielded limited success.

Despite initial agreements, the protesters have remained steadfast, intensifying their presence and stalling the operations at the mines.

“They attempted to enter the Blei-Detton camp but were met with resistance from security and the Liberia National Police.” An officer of the LNP currently in the area told IPNEWS.

Reports coming in say the situation continues to escalate, and that the Minister of Internal Affairs has dispatched Chief Zoe from Grand Bassa County to engage with the protesters to resolve the situation.

“Hired men to disrupt ArcelorMittal Liberia camp getting on yellow buses”

IPNEWS correspondence in the area says stakeholders are closely monitoring the developments and hope for a swift resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all involved.

It may be recalled in 2006, the Ministry of Mines and Energy during the administration of former President Sirleaf concluded the review and ratification of the Mineral Development Agreement with ArcelorMittal Liberia and granted exploration and mining permits to ArcelorMittal, including areas covered by Mount Bele Resources on Blei Community Forest land, as well as a permit to process iron ore tailings in the southwestern portion of the Barcoline community in Nimba County—an area where Solway operates today.

Years after, in 2011 two senior officials at the Ministry of Mines and Energy illegally issued a mining exploration license to Mount Bele Resources on Blei Community Forest land, as well as a permit to process iron ore tailings in the southwestern portion of the Barcoline community in Nimba County—an area where Solway operates today.

Sources at the Ministry of Mines and Energy tell IPNEWS that upon the discovery that the area had previously been allocated to ArcelorMittal Liberia, President Sirleaf commissioned a high-level technical committee to investigate ArcelorMittal claims. The Committee concluded its report confirming that the area covering Mount Bele Resources’ exploration license was under AML’s concession agreement.  Following the submission of the report, Sirleaf dismissed the officials involved and instructed Minister Patrick Sendolo to cancel the exploration permit. This revocation stemmed from the fact that their concession area overlapped with the original LAMCO Concession, which was granted to ArcelorMittal Liberia.

Mount Bele Resources subsequently pursued legal action, taking its case to the ECOWAS Court of Justice in 2019 after their exploration license was revoked but the court dismissed the claim and the company left Liberia.

 Maps and documents available indicate that the same area was later granted an exploration permit by the Weah-led administration to SOLWAY Mining Group—a move that Boima Margan has long claimed ownership of. According to maps and diagrams of the area, SOLWAY is encroaching upon the Blei Concession area, totaling 5574 hectares, which was tied to the claim during the Sirleaf era when an iron ore exploration permit was allegedly given to Mount Bele Resources and subsequently canceled due to encroachment on AML’s concession area.

When the CDC government assumed power in 2018, individuals who had been previously dismissed by President Sirleaf assumed leadership roles within the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and subsequently, Solway was again granted an exploration license in the same area.In 2022,

 ArcelorMittal wrote to the Weah-led government, urging them to revoke the mineral exploration license issued to Solway Mining Group, citing violations of their Mineral Development Agreement signed with the government. However, the government disregarded ArcelorMittal’s request until it was defeated in 2023.

Efforts by the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper to reach Mr. Boima Morgan is still ongoing as sources say he is currently in  the UK. Investigation continues.