Golgoma, Grand Cape Mount County – A protest staged Wednesday, February 28 by aggrieved residents of Golgoma, Grand Cape Mount County Thursday, February 29 turned bloody as riot police killed protesters and injured more than 16 people.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Irked by the stubborn disposition of the protesters who destroyed facilities of Bea Mountain, a mining company operating in the county, riot police Thursday, February 29 opened fire at protesters, killing at least two people and injuring dozens.
A money exchanger said to have been hit by a stray bullet later died, FrontPageAfrica has gathered. The protestors said the company has failed to employ qualified Liberians in key positions at the mines. Additionally, they accused the company of bad labor practices.
Since the company embarked on expansion last year, it has over four thousand employees and over six thousand contractors, many of whom are natives of the county, FrontPageAfrica gathered.
The protesters were having a peaceful procession near the company’s facility and had vowed to continue until the management of the company listens to their demands.
A Police officer speaking to a local radio station, in an interview, faulted the allegation that Police fired at the protesters, adding that one of the policemen was badly hurt during the protest.
“We did not fire a shot at anybody and even when our men were provoked by the protesters, we still did not retaliate,” he said.
How the protest escalated
The protest was, however, aggravated by shooting to death of two of the protesters whose bodies were paraded in the streets by family members and loved ones. Businesses in the town were shut around 10.30 a.m, as thousands of traders in the town’s main market and environs were seen scampering for safety as sporadic gunshots continued in many parts of the area.
The police, who could not disperse the protesters on Wednesday opened fire on protesters on Thursday on those who refused to leave the company’s premises, killing two persons.
The killing of the protesters escalated the protest. Protesters made bonfires along the streets, forcing motorists coming in and out to be trapped.
The protestors set ablaze the home of one Boakai Lansannah Tararero, a citizen of the county. Boakai contested against Representative Mohammed Dosi in the just-ended election of 2023. He is seen as a potential rival to Hon. Dosi.
On his official Facebook page, Boakai accused Hon. Dosi of supporting the burning of his home.
The newly dedicated vocational school in Kinjor, it was destroyed as well as several machines and other centers in the town.
In an interview the journalists at the scene, Hon. Dosi said because the Turkish company hired armed men to the place, that was the justification for the protest.
On whether he was aware of the burning of equipment, he said, he only heard about it but, adding: “because the armed people are here to make our people afraid. Why will you bring armed people to the community that you want to work in? That is a conflict,” Dosi told reporters.
Dosi admitted that he wrote his colleague lawmakers to call for the withdrawal of armed men at the mines. According to him, there is no need to hire armed men to be at the mines.
But his statement was debunked by some citizens from Cape Mount, who said that BMMC was right to hire armed men to protect its facilities.
According to Amara Folley, a resident of Kinjor, the presence of armed men was necessary due to past experience in which BMMC facilities were destroyed.
According to him, approaching the general elections last year, the National Security team did an assessment of all potential hotspots in the country and determined that Bea Mountain was a potential risk point.
It was realized that the presence of police was not strong enough to withstand any violent activities. So, the Ministry of Justice sought support from the AFL and the troops were deployed not only at Bea Mountain but also at LEC facilities like Mount Coffee.
More importantly, according to Section 11.2 .a of the MDA-Mineral Development Agreement signed between the Liberian government and Bea Mountain states that; “The Company may, directly or by contract with a responsible provider of security services, establish, manage and maintain its own asset and employee security and protection service for the purpose of protecting assets in the Production Area and in the immediate vicinity of other locations at which Company has or maintains property and assets through its own security force and to do so always in accordance with Law and rules and regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Justice relating to security forces. Such security force shall not bear arms and shall at all times operate subject to the authority of, and coordination with the Liberia National Police.”
Not only that, but also, In section b says; “In the event the Company deems it absolutely necessary to have armed guards for the purpose of protecting assets in the Production Area and in the immediate vicinity of other locations at which Company has or maintains property and assets, the Company shall make a written request to the Government. The Government shall provide armed guards as needed, which expense shall be borne by the Company.”
Speaker Koffa Sets Up Ad-hoc Intervention Committee
In response to the ongoing protest at Bea Mountain Mining Company in Cape Mount, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Fonati Koffa, Thursday took a decisive action by establishing an Ad-hoc Intervention Committee.
According to the House Press Bureau, the committee is tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the issues surrounding the protest, ensuring a fair and impartial inquiry.
The legislative delegation included Yekeh Kolubah, Dixon Seboe, Eugene Kollie, Emmanuel Dahn, Foday Fahnbulleh, Edward Flomo and three lawmakers from Cape Mount.
This delegation, according to a press release, demonstrated the commitment of the Honorable House of Representatives to working in the best interest of the citizens.
The Ad-hoc Intervention Committee gathered facts, engaged stakeholders, and presented a comprehensive report that will guide future actions and decisions.
The House emphasizes its dedication to addressing the concerns of the people and fostering a resolution that ensures justice and fairness, the release added.
The Honorable House of Representatives calls for calm and cooperation from all parties involved, urging citizens to trust in the investigative process. The commitment to transparent governance and the well-being of the people remains unwavering.
