-Wants officers prosecuted, invites Bea Mountain CEO
The Plenary of the House of Representatives has officially endorsed the final report of the specialized committee on Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) and has issued instructions for immediate action. Plenary took the decision Tuesday, 2 April 2024 during the 1st Extraordinary Day Sitting of the 1st Quarter of the 1st session.
After thorough examination and consideration, the committee has put forward a series of recommendations aimed at addressing issues within the mining sector of Liberia and ensuring adherence to the nation’s laws. The report highlights incidents in Grand Cape Mount County and presents recommendations to rectify the situation.
π²ππ πππππππππ ππππππ ππππππ π: Mandating the Office of the Chief Clerk to summon the Chief Executive Officer and top managers of BMMC to account for violating agreements with the Government of Liberia, which resulted in the loss of Liberian lives.
Urging the Liberia National Police to identify and hand over officers responsible for fatal shootings at the Kinjor protest site for swift arrest and prosecution, demonstrating the government’s commitment to justice.
Calling for the resignation or transfer of the Country Manager of BMMC to foster accountability and restore community confidence. Enlisting qualified longtime contractors as employees within the company. Requiring BMMC to submit employment records of top Liberian employees and undergo an employee audit by the Ministry of Labor. Imposing fines on BMMC for violations related to employment and permits. Requiring BMMC to procure ambulances, upgrade health facilities, and provide medical supplies to address health.
The route
Thursday, February 29, 2024, was troubling for residents of Kinjor, and Grand Cape Mount County in general, following a horrible scene after citizens and workers took to the streets to protest against alleged labor injustices and other grievances involving Bea Mountain, a gold mining company operating in the County.
The situation turned chaotic late Wednesday and early Thursday, February 29, 2024, when confrontations between the protesters and ERU personnel took a violent turn.
Eyewitnesses reported instances of live ammunition being fired into the crowd, resulting in numerous protesters sustaining serious injuries at the hands of the security forces.
The conflict further spiraled out of control as the armed personnel resorted to excessive force, leading to multiple fatalities and a significant number of individuals being left wounded and dead. Residents of Kinjor and concerned workers from Grand Cape Mount County condemned the heavy-handed actions of the security forces and called for government intervention to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.
Following the incident, Jennet Kayea shared her ordeal during the violent clashes. She recounted how some members of the Emergency Respond Unit (ERU) of the Liberia National Police (LNP) allegedly not only subjected her to physical abuse but also attempted to sexually assault her.
Recalling the traumatic experience, Jennet revealed, βThey even went as far as entering the room along with me, put hands in my under-clothe and tried to have sexual intercourse with me. I fought hard to catch two ERU officers, I called them inside but nobody couldnβt come and then thatβs how they wasted the teargas on me.β She narrated how their home was invaded and how she was touched inappropriately.
She added, βI know them good, if I see them right now I know the two of them. The two that took my brother and the two that jumped on me. When I see them right now, I know them. They have two people from our town and we still donβt know where they took them. They beat our father unmercifully, they didnβt joke with him.β She went on to identify the individuals involved in the disturbing incident, expressing her anguish over the disappearance of two community members taken away by the security forces.
Jennet also highlighted the brutal treatment inflicted upon her father during the clashes, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and justice in the wake of such egregious misconduct.
Houseβs intervention
In response to the protest, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Fonati Koffa established an Ad-hoc Intervention Committee. According to the House Press Bureau, the committee was tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the issues surrounding the protest, ensuring a fair and impartial inquiry.
The legislative delegation, comprising esteemed members such as Representative Yekeh Kolubah, Dixon Seboe, Eugene Kollie, Emmanuel Dahn, Foday Fahnbulleh, Edward Flomo, and three lawmakers from Cape Mount, departed Monrovis the same day to Cape Mount.
The Ad-hoc Intervention Committee was instructed to work diligently to gather facts, engage stakeholders, and present a comprehensive report that will guide future actions and decisions.
