Grand Bassa County – The Federation of Motorcycles and Tricycles Unions of Liberia (FOMTUL) and the National Federation of Motorcycles and Tricycles Association of Liberia (NAFOMTAL), have recently been engaged in a week-long peace talk to address the challenges faced by the motorcycle and tricycle sector in Liberia.
By Francis G. Boayue
The program, being organized by the Catholic Relief Services in partnership with the office of the Peace Ambassador of Liberia with support from the United State Agency for International Development (USAID), was aimed to foster understanding, promote peace, and bring the two rival unions to a common ground with approximately half a million commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists operating across the country.
The event styled “Peace Talk,” provided a platform for productive discussions and open dialogue among the union leaders and stakeholders, seeking to fix the rift between FOMTUL, NAFOMTAL, and their respective members due to their vital role in Liberia’s economic activities ahead of Liberia’s elections.
As a key milestone of the Peace Talk, FOMTUL pledged to sign a joint peace resolution, emphasizing their commitment to promoting peace and stability in Liberia. The President of FOMTUL, Mr. John Kenyor, stated, “Having consulted and unanimously agreed to make sure that the peace of this country is maintained. In that sense, we are going to sign a resolution of peace because Liberia is our common denominator. We want to send a message to the motorcyclists and tricyclists of Liberia to make sure that the peace and stability of our country are maintained.”
“We are going to work with our international partners to make sure we have a peaceful and successful election in our country where motorcyclists and Tricyclists will not be used as agents of violence, but rather we will be used as agents of positive change”, he added.
However, NAFOMTAL declined to sign the joint peace resolution, citing concerns over the legitimacy of FOMTUL as a recognized union in Liberia.
“How will you claim that you are an institution when you don’t have legitimacy? You should have all legitimacy from National Government to ensure that you are an institution that is providing services for the motorcyclist. Mr. John Kenyor is giving misleading information to the international community and the public at large that he still has a federation. On that note, I want to make this clear that Mr. John Kenyor alone cannot make an institution, so for NAFOMTAL to sign an agreement with a single individual is impossible,” affirmed Harris M. Kollie.
This refusal highlights the ongoing tensions between the two federations and underlines the need for further dialogue and legal clarification.
The Peace Talk represents a crucial breakthrough in efforts to mitigate conflict within the motorcycle and tricycle sector. It paved the way for ongoing discussions, which will be crucial in resolving the existing discord and fostering a peaceful environment for all stakeholders. Reflecting on the event, Mr. Eric S. Quaqua, the acting peace Ambassador of Liberia, said, “I am confident they are not going to get themselves involve in violent. We will meet with the Ministry of Transport to have a dialogue.”
As Liberia prepares for the upcoming 2023 general and presidential elections, it is imperative to establish a peaceful environment that will prevent any disruptions caused by potential conflicts within the motorcycle and tricycle sectors. The commitment of FOMTUL and the ongoing dialogue between the unions and stakeholders represent a positive step towards achieving this goal.
International partners in attendance were USAID, ECOWAS, and the Swedish Embassy. Catholic Relief Services, along with its partners, remains dedicated to fostering relationships between the youth and the broader community, ensuring sustainable peace, and promoting socio-economic development in Liberia. Through continued collaboration and constructive dialogue, it is hoped that lasting resolutions can be reached, benefiting all members of the motorcycle and tricycle sector, and contributing to a brighter future for Liberia.
“My message will be to a motorcyclist is, if someone is trying to pressure you to do something that is illegal or violent, say NO. Vou have the ability to say no. You don’t have to ask anyone or someone for their opinion to commit to peace. You can commit to peace on your own. That is a personal decision. I will always communicate that the US government is committed to supporting Liberia to have a free, fair, and peaceful election, stated Mandy Dagold, USAID Deputy Director for Democracy and Governance in Liberia.
“Let me thank CRS for the effort in bringing them to commit to peace. The act of signing the resolution, I think, is a way of preventing conflict, as their role is to build peace in Liberia. They have raised many concerns, but the journey to peace is long; it is about constantly identifying the cause and finding solutions. As I said, the two participants’ understanding of the resolution is an act of commitment to the peacebuilding of Liberia. I am confident that we will continue to engage them, and we will find a solution together,” concluded Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS ambassador in Liberia.