Mounting tensions between the Liberia National Police and motorcyclists have taken a new turn, with Liberia’s Supreme Motorcycle Transport Union seeking international intervention.
The union’s President, Trokon Gray, commonly known as Yellow Machine, met with ECOWAS Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah in Monrovia to highlight what he described as systematic oppression and human rights abuses against riders across the country.
Gray accused the police, including its leadership, of using excessive force against motorcyclists, citing repeated incidents of brutality and harassment. He claimed that some of the restrictions imposed on riders were economically damaging and politically motivated. The motorcycle transport sector, which provides jobs for thousands of young Liberians, has faced severe crackdowns, particularly in urban areas where authorities have restricted their movement.
During his meeting with Ambassador Nkrumah, Gray argued that the ongoing police actions not only violate riders’ rights but also threaten national stability. He emphasized that the economic hardship caused by these restrictions could escalate tensions, as many young men rely on motorcycle transport as their only source of income.
The union leader urged ECOWAS to intervene and pressure the Liberian Government to reassess its policies. He warned that if authorities failed to act, the frustration among motorcyclists could spiral into broader unrest.
