On March 5th the Jogbahn Clan, from Grand Bassa County in Liberia, celebrated a major step forward in the struggle to save their land from encroachment by British palm oil company Equatorial Palm Oil PLC (EPO). But, they are now in imminent danger unless we act now to help protect their land.
After months of negotiations and advocacy by community members in Liberia, backed by Friends of the Earth Liberia and international partners, the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, promised that the Jogbahn land – just over 20,000 hectares – should be recognised as the community’s land. She said no company should operate there without the community’s consent.
But the company is not listening.
Despite the Presidential statement, EPO is continuing to conduct studies of the Clan's land in preparation for clearance. Land clearance and other preparatory activities would be unlawful, as they do not respect communities’ right to give or withhold their Free Prior and Informed Consent, which is a requirement provided for under both national law and international law.
Silas Kpanan'Ayoung Siakor, campaigner for the Sustainable Development Institute/Friends of the Earth Liberia said: “Equatorial Palm Oil must listen to the Jogbahn Clan and accept that their 'no' means 'no'. The continuing determination of these communities is a cautionary tale for corporations who think they can ignore communities' rights and ownership of land".
Tell the company to listen the community and the government.
Watch and share the video
Join the conversation on Twitter #stopEPO
Sample Tweets:
Join the Jogbahn Clan in standing up to #landgrab by British #palmoil company #stopEPO. Watch our video + take ACTION bit.ly/1myNa5n
Help stop #landgrabbing for #palmoil in #Liberia, tell #EPO NO means NO! Watch our video and take ACTION bit.ly/1myNa5n #stopEPO
ACT NOW to stop communities land from being grabbed in Liberia by British #palmoil company–sign the petition bit.ly/1myNa5n #stopEPO
To learn more about the Jogbahn Clan's story read our blog and view our photo essay
To hear first hand from the community listen to our radio show
Get more information on this story here
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PRESS RELEASES
Resistance to Liberia landgrabs a warning to Africa investment conference - May 6th 2014
SDI welcomes President Sirleaf's commitment to protecting Joghban clan’s land from further encroachment by British palm oil company Equatorial Palm Oil - March 6th 2014
UK’s Equatorial Palm Oil accused of human rights abuses in Liberia - December 20th 2013
SDI calls on the Government of Liberia and Equatorial Palm Oil to immediately cease land survey in Grand Bassa, District no.4 - September 25th, 2013
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PRESS COVERAGE
Small community in Liberia stands strong against land grabbing - Real World Radio, May 6th, 2014
Grand Bassa County celebrate halting of EPO expansion drive - FrontPage Africa, March 6th, 2014
Palm oil producer accused of supporting attacks on Liberian civilians - The Times, December 20th, 2013
The Bitter Taste of Liberia's Palm Oil Plantations - Inter Press Service, May 29th, 2013
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LANDGRABBING IN LIBERIA
Uncertain Futures: The Impact of Sime Darby on Communities in Liberia - Sustainable Development Institute
Landgrabs in Liberia - Friends of the Earth International
Africa's Vanishing Forests - On Earth Magazine, December 4th, 2013
African farms need help, but the G8’s plan is for landowners, not the poor - The Globe and Mail, July 9th, 2013
European Investments Assist Land Grabs for Palm Oil in Liberia - Sustainable Development Institute/Friends of the Earth Europe, June 24th, 2013
Powering the Transition - D + C Magazine, June 6th, 2013
Landgrabbing in Liberia - Ejolt, May 2013
Liberia's landless people have a lesson for visiting world leaders - The Guardian, February 1st, 2013
The Real Price of Europe Going Green - AfricAvenir, February 5th, 2013
Liberian Communities Affected by Oil Palm Land Deals Gather, Release Statement on Expansion of Sime Darby and Golden Veroleum Plantations - Sustainable Development Institute, Social Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development and Save My Future Foundation, December 3rd, 2012
Large-scale land grant to Sime Darby to grow oil palm in Liberia threatens the rights of local communities, their food security, and puts their wellbeing at risk - Sustainable Development Institute, September 21st, 2012