Yekepa, Nimba County – In a powerful demonstration of unity and defiance, residents from Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties gathered in Yekepa on Friday, August 2, 2024, to present a dark-smoked Olympic torch to ArcelorMittal Liberia. The event was part of the global “Shiny Claims, Dirty Flames” campaign, led by the Fair Steel Coalition and Green Advocates International, to spotlight the harmful effects of ArcelorMittal’s mining operations on communities in Liberia and beyond.
By Franklin Doloquee, contributing writer
Holding aloft the symbolic torch emitting black smoke, the community members conveyed the devastating impact on their livelihoods, health, and natural resources. The torch served as a powerful emblem of their grievances and the irony of the situation—a symbol of Olympic ideals turned dark by the realities they face.
Mr. Sam Yeadieh, a community leader from Grand Bassa, delivered an impassioned speech on behalf of the affected communities, articulating the deep-seated frustration and dissatisfaction that has festered over the years.
“We present warm greetings to our local leaders, lawmakers, the government of Liberia, and the management of ArcelorMittal Liberia,” Mr. Yeadieh began. “We stand here as aggrieved communities from Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties to express our profound dissatisfaction with the operations of ArcelorMittal in our regions.”
He continued, “We present to you a torch with black smoke, symbolizing the dark reality we face due to your operations in our communities.”
Mr. Yeadieh detailed the myriad ways in which ArcelorMittal’s activities have upended their lives. “Today marks the first time we have united as affected communities to voice our collective frustration over the impact of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s work in our areas. Unfortunately, this significant day arrives during a very dark period in our lives.”
He described how lands have been seized, livelihoods destroyed, and homes damaged by vibrations from mining blasts and heavy machinery. The pollution of air and water, coupled with the constant noise from blasting and trains, has left residents in a perpetual state of distress. Despite their proximity to ArcelorMittal’s operations, these communities suffer from inadequate healthcare, poor sanitation, and a lack of economic opportunities.
“Our living conditions have deteriorated due to the destruction of our farmland, medicinal resources, and protein sources, without adequate compensation or prior information,” Mr. Yeadieh emphasized. “On this dark day, we declare that we are not satisfied.”
Echoing his sentiments, Evelyn Saye and Abel Nyanamah of Nimba County highlighted the damage to their homes and farmlands caused by blasting, the pollution of rivers and streams used for drinking, unresolved grievances, and the exclusion of communities from decisions regarding the County Development Fund. They also spoke of the harassment and criminalization of community members by state forces, further exacerbating their plight.
Dada Konkah of Nimba County asserted, “We are not criminals; we are indigenous people who depend on the land and forest for our sustenance. We were here before ArcelorMittal; this is our ancestral land, and we demand adequate information on the timing of blasting at the mines.”
The affected communities presented three key demands to ArcelorMittal: engage in dialogue with the communities to address their concerns, review and improve the current grievance mechanism, and develop a Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) policy to ensure better communication and decision-making processes.
In a striking conclusion, Mr. Yeadieh referenced ArcelorMittal’s sponsorship of the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “We present this symbolic Olympic Torch with black smoke to call on you to be a true champion in protecting people and the environment, especially the local communities and their livelihoods in Liberia.”
This event marked a significant moment in the global effort to hold ArcelorMittal accountable for its social, environmental, and climate responsibilities. By uniting their voices, the affected communities aim to drive meaningful change and ensure that ArcelorMittal’s operations create value for all stakeholders, particularly the vulnerable communities in Liberia.
