MONROVIA – The Nimba Youth and Students’ Movement (NYSM) has strongly condemned the recent calls by some residents of Grand Cape Mount County to oust Debar Allen from his position as Country Manager of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC).
By Siaway T. Miapue, contributing writer
In a statement released on Tuesday, the NYSM labeled these actions as sectarian and targeted, aiming to discriminate against individuals from Nimba and Grand Bassa Counties. They perceive these demands as unjust and undemocratic, particularly focusing on Mr. Allen, the Managing Director of BMMC.
The agitation stems from a 38-count petition submitted by aggrieved residents within Bea Mountain’s concession area following a violent protest that resulted in loss of life, injuries, and significant damage to company property.
Included in the petition is a demand for the replacement of Debar Allen, who hails from Grand Bassa County, with a native of Cape Mount. The NYSM argues that such demands are driven by tribalism, which contradicts both Liberian constitutional principles and international human rights standards.
“Fellow Liberian, member of the press, these actions targeting the citizens of other counties in general and Mr Debar W. Allen in particular, on the part of some few Cape Mountaineers, are not only selfish, and divisive, but it has far-reaching consequences to stir tribal disunity among the citizenry of this country, but also are uncivilized and violate Article 18 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution and Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1, 2, 3, and 4,” the student movement said.
The NYSM highlighted past instances of discrimination, such as threats against Jackson S. You, a prominent individual from Nimba, based on his non-Cape Mountaineer background, further illustrating the persistence of tribal biases within the region.
“We view this assertion as lacking in patriotism, fostering tribalism and divisiveness. Regrettably, it seems they are unaware of the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), which stipulates that Bea Mountain possesses the right to hire based on the labor laws of the Country, without discriminating against any Liberian,” the group said.
It added that it is unacceptable for anyone to be targeted in his own country of birth simply because of ethnicity, adding that such behavior goes against the values of inclusivity, diversity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds.
Further in their statement, the group said what is even more appalling is that the Government of Liberia trough the Ministries of Justice and Labor – institutions that are clothed with the authority to protect these specific rights of Managing Director Allen, appear to be promoting such injustice in the name of “restoring calm.”
It noted that historically, Nimba county has been one of the counties that has promoted unity and created jobs for all citizens of Liberia, dating to back to pre-civil war era and present day.
It disclosed that several top employees of concessions in Nimba hail from Grand Cape Mount and are working without any hindrance or complaints.
Additionally, it noted that Grand Bassa has hosted employees of Arcelor Mittal hailing from Cape Mount and are going about their normal businesses.
The movement called upon progressive institutions, civil society organizations, and legislative bodies to intervene and safeguard the rights of all Liberians. Specifically, they urged the newly established western legislative caucus, chaired by Sen. Alex Tyler of Bomi County and Secretary General Sen. Amara M Konneh of Gbarpolu County, to address the divisive actions and promote unity among counties.
In addition, the NYSM appealed to the Legislative Caucus of Nimba County, the Office of the Speaker and Senate Pro Tempore, the Traditional Council, the Religious Council, and the Western Legislative Caucus to mediate and resolve the matter peacefully. Failure to do so, they warned, could lead to similar actions across solidarity counties.