Africa-Press – Liberia. The Movement of Bassa Youth and Students (MOBYS) has strongly criticized the demand by some citizens of Grand Cape Mount County for the dismissal of Debar W. Allen, Country Manager of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC), labeling it as unjust, a witch-hunt, and a divisive act.
Protests by Cape Mount citizens at a BMMC concession area have included demands for Mr. Allen’s removal, citing alleged failures to uphold the Mineral Development Agreement and other grievances.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday in Paynesville City, MOBYS, through its Secretary General, Melvin Ableejay Wloh, condemned the actions against Mr. Allen as alarming, warning of potential risks to Liberia’s peace.
Wloh emphasized that the targeting of Mr. Allen by Cape Mount residents is not only self-serving and divisive, but also has broader implications for fostering tribal discord across the country.
He argued that such actions are uncivilized and violate both Article 18 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution and Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, calling on those involved to cease their activities or face resistance in defense of Allen.
MOBYS highlighted Mr. Allen’s extensive professional experience of over 20 years in corporate America, and since his return to Liberia, he has used his expertise to make the company to grow and expand its operations.
This growth, the group said, has not only benefitted the company, but has created more jobs for Liberians. The group said calling for the removal of Allen because he does not hail from the county was not in the interest of Liberia. Thy argue that it violates the constitution of Liberia and the Universal declaration of human rights.
“Our organic Law is straightforward on the rights of Liberians to live and work in any part of Liberia without intimidation or fear for their life. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that 1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work, and protection against unemployment.2. Everyone without any discrimination has the right to equal jobs for equal pay. E.T.C,” the Secretary General noted.
The group recounted that two years ago, it was a son of Nimba County, Mr. Jackson Soumie-you was removed from his post in such manner and today, it is a Bassa man who has been discriminatorily targeted in Grand Cape Mount. The group warned that tomorrow, it could be a Gio man, Kissi, Kpelleh, or a Kru man would be targeted in Grand Cape County if they fold their hands and allow this to breed in the society.
“We must all now stand together against injustice, tribalism, and witch-hunts or we get prepared for the new wave of disunity and conflicts engineered by selfish elements parading as lawmakers of Grand Cape Mount,” the statement indicated.
In the statement, the Movement of Bassa Youth and Students against the witch-hunt of Debar W. Allen further strongly condemns the act of injustice and the witch-hunt of a professional and prominent son of Grand Bassa. Asking for the position as General Country Manager of BMMC based on tribal intolerance was wrong, the group said.
The group noted that the demonstrators raised concerns about count 14 among the 38 counts, which indicated that MNG/BMMC transferred the country’s General Manager Position to Grand Cape Mount County immediately.
As part of their counts, the group called on President Joseph N. Boakai to appoint Mr. Sando Wayne, who they believe represents the people’s choice. The Church 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 release said.
The movement emphasized 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 background.
“What is even more appalling is that the Government of Liberia, specifically the Ministers of Justice, Labor, agencies that are clothed with the authority to protect these specific rights of Mr. Allen, appear to be promoting such injustice in the name of “restoring calm”. What travesty,” it averred.
Hence, the movement calls on the people of Grand Cape Mount County who are divisive and egocentrically calling for the booting out top-notch professional, Debar W. Allen to stop their witch-hunt immediately.
The Secretary General of the group threatened that the citizens of Bassa will hunt down every citizen of Cape Mount holding top managerial positions in the Bassa region, to be precise; Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), Equatorial Palm Oil (EPO), NPA Bassa Branch, Forest Ventures, ArcelorMittal Liberia, and others.
“We, therefore call on the Legislative Caucus of Grand Bassa County, The Office of the Speaker, The Office of the Senate Pro Tempore, the Traditional Council, and the Religious Council to step in and amicably resolve the crisis and STOP the witch hunt for the betterment of our Country,” the statement concluded with authorization of Madison P. Zondo President Emeritus of the Grand Bassa University Students Union and Chair of the movement.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
