IPNEWS: Efforts by Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin aimed at restoring calm at ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) operational areas on Saturday were undermined once again after an alleged close ally of VP Jeremiah Koung who mobilized people to prevent access to the mines.
Last Saturday, acting on the directive of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, the Minister of Internal Affairs and his team traveled to Nimba County to meet with protesters and leaders of the county to hear their concerns and ensure that the blockades to ArcelorMittal’s mining sites are removed, to allow the company to resume its normal operations. During a mass citizens’ meeting in Gbaleeye Town, District #3, Nimba County, last evening, an agreement was reached with the communities of Zor, Yarmehn, and Seh to remove roadblocks and Traditional Devils from AML mining sites. following.
To the surprise of many, VP Koung’s ally, Grace Barrie, supported by Alvin Toaloe, Vice Chair for Cultural Affairs of the Traditional People of NIMBA intensified mobilization against the decision reached by the communities, traditional leaders, and chief “zoes” of Nimba and deployed men back roads leading to to the mines.
The protesters mobilized by Grace have not vacated the mines as of Sunday morning and have prevented AML staff from accessing Mount Blei and Detton, thus keeping AML’s operations shutdown. To the alarm of many, Madam Grace boastfully confirmed the rumors that Vice President Koung was aware of the protest and the decision of the protesters to keep AML’s operations shutdown, while she was on a talk show on Radio Nimba on Friday.
Grace Barrie who campaigned for Koung in all parts of Nimba was the individual who mobilized dozens of citizens from the AML host communities and transported them to Monrovia on Monday of last week to protest purposely against the ratification AML’s 3rd amended MDA.
After the protest at the Capitol Building, Grace moved the group to the Vice President’s residence before the VP Koung even notified representatives of districts where the protesters came from, a situation condemned by the lawmakers.
Investigations reveal that Grance has been collaborating with one Alvin Toaloe, another staunch supporter of VP Koung, who is the Vice Chair for Cultural Affairs of the Traditional People of Nimba.
VP Koung has not visited Nimba since his inauguration in January 2024, however, his continued silence over the ongoing lawlessness in his home county Nimba, has widen skepticism among ordinary people, especially when he was actively involved in the settling recent impasse between the Liberia National Police and motorcyclist over enforcement of a ‘no go zone’.
Our reporter stated that Alvin and traditional men seized the three AML mines, and he collected keys to all offices at the mines and placed them in a bag, which he took to the meeting with Minister Nyumalin on Friday.
While on a radio talk show on Radio Kerhgamehn in Ganta on Friday, Alvin informed the host that he was in consultation with the Vice President over all their actions.
Since the start of the protest in VP Koung’s home county, he has made no effort to intervene, as he did during the AFL women’s protest, the youth protest against Aqua Life, and the motorcyclist ban, which he intervened and reversed. To the shock of observers, in the protest at AML’s mining sites, Koung appears to be playing hands off, for reason many could not understand. While his clear motivation for keeping distant is yet unknown, circumstances around the protest points directly to his backscene actions to orchestrate and fuel the protesters’ actions.
Even more interestingly, the Vice President has planned a three-district tour of Nimba County beginning May 15-18 without a remote mention of the ongoing unrest at AML which has seen operations shutdown for more than one week, a situation with significant implications on Liberia’s revenue and investment confidence.
It can be recalled, there were reports of VP Koung’s close friendship with Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former Ghanaian President, John Mahama, who lends his private jet to the Vice President for his foreign trips. There have been credible reports that Mr Mahama has been in negotiation with Boima Morgan, owner of Solway Mining, to acquire the company from Mr. Morgan.
Inter Affairs Minister Francis Sakala Nyumalin at the meeting in Gbaleeye Town, District #3, Nimba County
Internal Affairs Minister’s Intervention to restore calm:
Calm was restored to ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) operations after a week of protests and disruptions that shut down the company’s mining and logistics operations.
Some mobilized community members, particularly in the affected AML host communities of Zor, Yarmehn, and Seh areas, marched to the three mines with traditional ‘devils’, driving away staff, occupying offices, and refusing to leave.
They have been demanding that ArcelorMittal employs people living in the affected communities, builds roads, and provides safe drinking water for the communities affected by mining activities.
Internal Affairs Minister Francis Sakala Nyumalin headed an inter-ministerial committee, comprising the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the National Bureau of Concessions, and others on Saturday, to help resolve the standoff.
The meeting, massively attended by citizens of Zor, Yarmehn, and Seh, saw the citizens agree to remove the traditional devils and roadblocks from the mines and hold a meeting with ArcelorMittal on Sunday at Yekepa to resolve their grievances.
During the meeting, Minister Nyumalin assured the citizens that the government stands ready to protect the interests of its citizens but will not allow citizens to take the law into their own hands by blocking concessions from operating.
He emphasized President Boakai’s commitment to peace but insisted that people must follow the law.
“We must not take the law in our hands”
“Anything that is legal between the government the and company must be respected. The number of days they have spent without working they have lost plenty of money and the government too is also losing.”, he said.
Nyumalin promised not to leave Nimba County until the matter is resolved with one conclusion reached between the company and the people.
Representatives Nya Flomo and Nyekah Gaye of districts #2 and 3 attended the meeting held in Gbaleeye Town, about 45 minutes’ drive from Yekepa.
They expressed shock and disappointment that their constituents did not consult them before traveling to Monrovia to stage a protest against ArcelorMittal but instead were informed about the situation by Vice President Jeremiah Koung.
They said the claims of the citizens were legitimate and asked the Minister of Internal Affairs to press upon ArcelorMittal to do more for the communities.
The lawmakers emphasized that it was disappointing to note that the people see iron ore going each day but cannot benefit from their resources.
They urged the citizens to remain calm, follow the law, and channel all their grievances through their legal representatives, reminding them that it is the government that owns all the natural resources and has the power to determine who it grants concessions to.
On Tuesday, it was reported that a group of citizens from the AML host communities had been loaded on a yellow bus and sent to Monrovia by the controversial owner of Solway Moima Morgan to protest against AML.
Boima Morgan since enied the claim.
During Saturday’s meeting in Nimba, some citizen groups advocated that mountains already in the ArcelorMittal concession areas must be awarded to different companies to promote competition.
Sunday’s meeting in Yekepa is expected to see the citizens and AML engage in dialogue to resolve all outstanding concerns.
ArcelorMittal has been the victim of regular sabotage from rail to violent protests and various forms of vandalism of operational sites.
Last year, a group of men believed to be from a well-coordinated gang in the town of Zolowee armed with knives and cutlasses stormed the Tokadeh mine, vandalized properties, attacked private security, and badly injured a police officer.
On Thursday, the government issued a statement in Monrovia expressing concern about protests and tensions in ArcelorMittal Liberia’s concession area and formed an inter-ministerial committee to address the situation and urge dialogue through established channels.
The government stressed its support for the right to protest but emphasized the importance of protecting investment for job creation, condemning the misuse of traditional institutions for the intimidation of investors, and assured its commitment to maintaining peace and security in concession areas.
Last Friday, May 10, 2024, the Government of Liberia (GOL) expressed grave concern over ongoing protests and tension within some communities of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) concession area in Nimba County. These activities have led to disruptions in the company’s operations and the free movement of our citizens.
Accordingly, the Government constituted an inter-ministerial committee with a mandate to engage all parties involved to find an immediate solution to the situation.
The Committee comprises of the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Justice, Mines and Energy, and Labor along with the National Bureau of Concessions.
According to release from the Ministry of Information, the Government remains fully supportive of the legal right to protest.l, however, cautioned citizens to be mindful of the need for investments that create jobs and provide livelihood for the Liberia people.
The Government of Liberia further frowns on the misuse of traditional and cultural institutions to intimidate citizens and foreign residents.
“There are legitimate channels to express grievances and the Government therefore urges all parties involved to tread the path of dialogue through the established grievance channels in seeking redress.”
“The GOL assures AML and all investors of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in their operational areas.” A Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), statement concludes.
Last Monday, tension remains high in northern Nimba county following the besieging of ArcelorMittal Liberia facilities over the last five days. The ransacking of the company’s facilities by Weah’s ally Boima Morgan now puts President Boakai’s investment agenda in jeopardy as the President attends an ongoing U.S.-Africa summit in Dallas Texas, the United States, to attract investors to Liberia.
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 have been 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 had 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. Investigation continues.
