Monrovia, Liberia – Grand Bassa County police have detained a number of people for obstructing ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) railway, a vital piece of infrastructure that transports iron ore from the company’s mining operations to the Port of Buchanan.
The blockade sabotage took place between June 10 and June 12, 2025. The offenders, who were allegedly former employees of a contracting business (WBHO), blocked train operations by removing several steel sleepers from the tracks between Kilometer Six and Ten, laying rubbish and other impediments, and starting fires. The demonstrators said they have outstanding grievances with WBHO, a business that is not affiliated with ArcelorMittal Liberia.
Andrew Jokpo, 22, Sampson B. Pokiay, 43, Cyrus Bloue, 32, J. Prince Quito, 27, Stanley Ben, 19, and Samuel Barchue are among those who were taken into custody. They are being investigated by the police, and charges and prosecution are still pending.
ArcelorMittal Liberia responded to the interruption by denouncing the action and highlighting the dangers to rail safety, the possible harm to revenue collection, and the wider economic ramifications for Liberia. This most recent incident contributes to a rising pattern of unlawful activities taken against ArcelorMittal and its business operations by people who still use violence and destruction as a form of protest.
A vital component of Liberia’s infrastructure, the Yekepa to Buchanan railway is crucial to the country’s economy, especially when it comes to mining, trade, and regional development. The railway is crucial to the nation’s top export good as it mostly transports iron ore from the Yekepa mines to the port of Buchanan. State income and ore shipping volumes are directly impacted by any interruption in railway operations.
