Africa-Press – Liberia. Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah has distanced ArcelorMittal from the recent protest in Nimba County, clarifying that the company was not the cause of the demonstration.
According to him, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, violent activities were reported near the ArcelorMittal facility in Nimba County, involving a recognized group known as AFCOM Liberia Workers, who reportedly took to the streets to demand project-related benefits.
He clarified that the individuals or group involved are not directly linked to ArcelorMittal but were contracted to provide specialized services. He explained that entities that benefit from the main contractor’s agreement with ArcelorMittal often recruit their own subcontractors to execute assigned work.
However, he noted that, due to inconsistencies in contract renewal, ArcelorMittal has historically renewed services for some contractors over the past three years or more.
“So those contractors who have been working with the entity that was contracted, at the end of the three years, those companies have not received further contracts from ArcelorMittal. For this reason, they are saying those they recruited will also no longer have contracts,” Piah said.
He added that workers of AFCOM, which represents some of the contracted companies, are demanding what it describes as severance or end-of-project benefits after being informed that their contracts would not be renewed.
“Because the contracting company refused, the workers assembled and protested on Wednesday near the ArcelorMittal facility in Nimba County to demand their benefits,” he explained.
The Minister emphasized that severance or end-of-project benefits are intended for full-time employees, not contractors, but noted that the protesters believed they were entitled to the benefits they were demanding.
Piah further disclosed that the protest disrupted the free movement of AFCOM senior staff and diverted company vehicles toward Yekepa.
He added that when the protesters’ actions escalated into violence and transitioned into a riot, the Assistant Police Commissioner in Nimba instructed his team, along with Police Support Unit (PSU) officers, to restore calm.
According to the Minister, the situation was eventually brought under control; however, while 37 suspects were arrested, eight police officers sustained severe injuries.
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