By Ben TC Brooks
Monrovia, Liberia – A nationwide strike by commercial drivers has brought transportation to a standstill across Liberia, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and disrupting daily life in major cities and towns.
The protest, led by taxi, Kehkeh (tricycle), and bus drivers, began early Monday, August 18, and has paralyzed movement in key transport hubs, particularly in Monrovia and its surrounding communities. The drivers are protesting what they describe as persistent harassment by the Liberia National Police (LNP), excessive traffic fines, and grievances linked to the controversial Liberia Traffic Management system.
“Our daily income is already low, and the police keep ticketing and harassing us. It’s getting harder to support our families,” one driver told our reporter in Red light.
The strike has created widespread chaos, with commuters ~ including students, market women, and office workers ~ forced to walk long distances or cancel travel plans due to the lack of transportation.
This marks the second major strike by commercial drivers this year, raising growing concerns about the government’s handling of transport sector grievances. Drivers say their repeated complaints about unfair treatment by the LNP have gone unaddressed.
As of press time, neither the Ministry of Transport nor the Liberia National Police had released an official statement regarding the protest.
