Monrovia – The Supreme Motorcycle Transport Union of Liberia (SUMTUL) has strongly denounced a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Liberia, claiming it is politically motivated and detrimental to the livelihoods of thousands of motorcyclists and tricycle operators across the country. The ruling upholds restrictions on motorcyclists and Kekeh riders, a decision SUMTUL argues is unfair and threatens their means of survival.
In response to the court’s decision, SUMTUL has vowed to mobilize its members in collaboration with STAND and other advocacy groups to stage a mass protest. The organization contends that the government’s policies are unconstitutional and that Justice in Chambers, Ceanide Clinton-Johnson, ruled unjustly against them. SUMTUL maintains that political interference, rather than legal principles, influenced the verdict, highlighting what they perceive as a growing disregard for justice under President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
Adding to their grievances, SUMTUL members allege that top officials of the Liberia National Police (LNP) have issued direct threats against them. They claim Inspector General Gregory Coleman and Deputy Inspector General Nelson Freeman warned that their legal challenge would amount to nothing, citing Justice Johnson’s appointment by President Boakai as a predetermined advantage for the government. Furthermore, Freeman is accused of making violent threats, allegedly stating that any motorcyclist found operating in restricted zones would be “hit and killed.”
The ruling, SUMTUL argues, underscores a justice system that favors the elite while disregarding the plight of ordinary citizens. With more than 250,000 Liberians depending on motorcycles as their primary source of income, the organization insists that the government should work collaboratively with stakeholders to formulate policies that balance public safety with economic opportunity. Instead, they argue, authorities have chosen punitive measures that deepen financial hardships for thousands of families.
Dismissing claims that their movement is being politically manipulated, SUMTUL maintains that it is a trade union dedicated to advocating for the rights of motorcyclists regardless of political affiliations. The group condemned efforts to politicize their struggle and urged its members to remain steadfast in their fight for justice.
Beyond their legal battle, SUMTUL has accused the Liberia National Police of corruption and discriminatory enforcement of traffic laws. They claim that while Liberian motorcyclists face arrests and confiscation of their bikes, foreign nationals, including Lebanese business owners, are allowed to ride freely in restricted areas. Riders also allege that police officials are extorting money from them through forced registration with a private company, OKADAMOTO, which they believe is a fraudulent scheme designed to exploit them financially.
Expressing frustration over widespread silence on the issue, SUMTUL criticized political parties, civil society organizations, and religious groups for failing to speak out. The union questioned why institutions that previously relied on motorcyclists’ support during elections have not condemned what they describe as blatant oppression. They specifically called out the Liberia National Legislature, the Liberia Council of Churches, the Muslim Council, and the Federation of Liberian Youth for their inaction.
The union also took aim at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion (CEIO) for recently honoring Inspector General Coleman, a move they called hypocritical. SUMTUL accused CEIO of abandoning its commitment to justice and urged the organization to return to its core values of advocacy and accountability.
Tensions escalated after SUMTUL President Trokon Grayginho Gray, commonly known as “Yellow Machine,” reportedly received death threats from members of the ruling Unity Party Alliance. The union alleges that government official and Unity Party spokesperson Layee Togbeh publicly endorsed violence against motorcyclists, sparking fears for Gray’s safety. SUMTUL has called for international intervention, citing previous assassination attempts on Gray by suspected National Security Agency operatives.
With their legal options exhausted, SUMTUL has vowed to intensify their protests. The union announced plans for a nationwide, non-stop peaceful demonstration, uniting market women, students, and other civil society organizations in opposition to the Supreme Court’s ruling. They are demanding an immediate reversal of the restrictions on motorcyclists and advocating for broader reforms to protect their rights.
In an appeal to the international community, SUMTUL urged organizations such as the United Nations, ECOWAS, the U.S. Embassy, the European Union, and the UN Human Rights Council to intervene. The union believes global pressure is essential to ensure that the government respects the rights of motorcyclists and is held accountable for its actions.
As part of its recommendations, SUMTUL is calling for a national stakeholders’ meeting involving bike dealers, union representatives, the Ministry of Transport, the Liberia National Police, the Ministry of Justice, the National Legislature, and international observers. They are advocating for a centralized motorcycle registration system, legal protections for riders, structured industry training programs, and an improved system for reporting criminal activities involving motorcyclists.
