Liberia: House Calls on “CIC Boakai” To Withdraw Soldiers from Bea Mountain Concession Area

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling on President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. to withdraw soldiers from concession areas and return them to the barracks.

This decision was made following concerns raised by Grand Cape Mount County District #2 Representative, Mohammed Dosi, about the presence of soldiers at Bea Mountain in Konjor, Gola Konneh District, and alleged misconduct towards peaceful citizens. Officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia were deployed in the area by the George Weah-led government to protect the company’s facility and personnel amid protests staged by locals.

However, the plenary of the House, during its 14th day sitting on Tuesday, February 27, resolved that the deployment of the soldiers at concessions violates the Constitution and that such action can only be taken by the Legislature during a state of emergency because of natural disaster, civil unrest, armed conflict, medical pandemic or epidemic or other biosecurity risk. 

The House’s leadership, under the guidance of Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, has been charged with sending Plenary’s directive to President Boakai as Commander-In-Chief of the Army to recall the soldiers. 

Members of the House of Representatives also voted for a Specialized Committee to investigate Bea Mountain in Konjor, Gola Konneh District, concerning the company's continued alleged bad labor practice. 

According to Speaker Koffa, the Specialized Committee will be announced on Thursday, 29th February 2024 and will be mandated to investigate the situation at Bea Mountain. The plenary’s resolution emphasizes the need for military personnel to be stationed appropriately and not involved in civilian matters. 

House’s Plenary for the withdrawal of soldiers from concessions and investigations of Bea Mountain's alleged bad labor practice was triggered by a communication from Rep. Dosi.

In his letter of complaint, Rep. Dosi said: “Hon. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, upon my visitation and community engagements in my constituency over the weekend, at the Bea Mountain in Konjor, Gola Konneh District, I took a keen note of several officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) personnel of the Liberia National Police deployed at the company’s facilities.”

“Subsequently, on February 14, a group of peaceful citizens constellated at the company gate to peacefully express their disappointment in the company management, concerning the company’s faithful continuing bad labor habits or pattern. Unfortunately, on the said day, our people were beaten by personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Emergency Response Unit.”

The Grand Cape Mount lawmaker added: “Hon. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, with the above advertence, I write to request the indulgence of this honorable body for the immediate pullback of the Army and the ERU personnel from the company facilities and the community (Kinjor). Because our people need free movement and the army needs to be in the barracks and not among civilians.

“Additionally, I am also urging your indulgence to look toward inviting the head of management of the company and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) with the Liberia National Police (LNP) to familiarize this august body with their demeanor against our people and to tell us the reason(s) for the present of their officers or unit assigned at the Kinjor, Bea Mountain facilities.”

The House, Speaker Koffa noted, is committed to ensuring the safety and rights of the community members while holding companies and security forces accountable for their actions.