Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-03-08 00:32:00
The House of Representatives has made a formal request to the Executive branch to immediately withdraw military and police personnel from concessional sites across Liberia. This decision came in response to a violent crackdown by the Liberian National Police on protesters at the Bea Mountain Mining Company in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, which resulted in three deaths and several injuries.
The Ministry of States, acting on behalf of the Government of Liberia, relayed the House’s directive to the Ministry of National Defense and the Liberia National Police for prompt action. The communication from the Minister of State, Sylvester M. Grigsby, informed the House members of this development on March 7, 2024, initiating the process of withdrawing state security personnel from the Bea Mountain Mining Company in Kinjor.
The request to withdraw military and police officers from Bea Mountain and other concessional areas was prompted by a plea from Grand Cape Mount County District# 2 Representative Mohammed Dosii. He highlighted the excessive presence of Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and Police Emergency Response Unit (ERU) personnel at the Bea Mountain Mining Company. Representative Dosii expressed concern that these security forces were not only engaged in security duties but also performing labor tasks as if they were company contractors.
The lawmaker recounted a peaceful protest on February 14, where citizens gathered at the company’s gate to voice their grievances about labor practices. However, the protest turned violent when the military and police responded aggressively, resulting in casualties. Three individuals were reportedly killed, and many others were injured during the clashes.
The protesters had raised demands such as representation in the company’s senior management and improved access to electricity. They accused the police of using excessive force and firing live bullets during the protest, leading to fatalities. While the Liberia National Police initially denied the reports of deaths, they later confirmed two fatalities.
The House of Representatives, in alignment with the concerns raised by Representative Dosii and the protesters, unanimously voted to recall security personnel from Bea Mountain and other concessional areas. The decision reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the grievances of citizens and ensuring the safety of all individuals participating in peaceful demonstrations.
Moving forward, the withdrawal of military and police personnel from concessional sites will be closely monitored to prevent further escalations of violence and protect the rights of citizens to express their concerns without fear of retribution. This action underscores the importance of upholding human rights and fostering a peaceful environment for dialogue and resolution of grievances in Liberia.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
