By: Melvin Flomo
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Capitol Hill, Liberia — January 29, 2026
Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twayen Jr. has provided a detailed justification for his decision to abstain from voting on the Third Amendment to the ArcelorMittal Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), emphasizing that his position was rooted in accountability, historical evidence of noncompliance, and a commitment to protecting the long-term interests of Liberia and affected communities.
Speaking from the Capitol Building following the passage of the amendment, Senator Twayen made clear that his abstention was neither an act of hostility toward foreign investment nor opposition to economic growth. Rather, he described it as a “deliberate position of caution,” informed by ArcelorMittal Liberia’s documented failure over the years to fully meet key social and concession obligations under the existing MDA.
“As the lead senator on concession compliance for the past two years, I could not ignore history simply because new assurances were offered,” Twayen stated, noting that abstention was intended to send a firm message that commitments must be implemented, not merely promised.
Advocacy Secures Major Social and Infrastructure Commitments
Senator Twayen disclosed that sustained advocacy from his office working alongside other lawmakers yielded significant improvements to the amendment after its initial passage by the House of Representatives. According to him, negotiations with the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC) and ArcelorMittal resulted in the correction of critical omissions and weaknesses, particularly in the area of social benefits.
Among the commitments now explicitly acknowledged are the pavement of the Sehyikinpa–Yekepa road, upgrades to roads within the concession area, construction and maintenance of bridges, and increased investment in clinics and schools serving affected communities, especially in Nimba County.
“These were not included by accident; they were secured through pressure, scrutiny, and principled engagement,” the senator emphasized.
Improved Financial Terms and Legislative Safeguards
Beyond social benefits, Senator Twayen revealed that advocacy efforts also led to a renegotiation of the financial terms of the agreement. The revised arrangement now includes a US$200 million signature bonus, an increase in annual mining license fees from US$50,000 to US$500,000, and a boost in annual social development contributions from US$3 million to US$5 million.
He further noted that lawmakers insisted on the consolidation and restatement of the existing MDA alongside the Third Amendment, with clearer termination and revision clauses. Notably, provisions that would have allowed automatic extension of the concession after 25 years were removed and replaced with language requiring legislative ratification for any renewal, restoring constitutional oversight by the Legislature.
Nimba County Omission Acknowledged, Corrections Promised
Senator Twayen also confirmed that both the IMCC and ArcelorMittal formally acknowledged clerical and substantive errors in the amendment, including the omission of Nimba County from certain social obligation provisions. He said his office demanded and received written commitments from both the Executive and the company, confirming that the omissions would be corrected and implemented.
Despite these assurances, the senator maintained a cautious stance.
“Commitments on paper do not erase years of unmet promises,” he said. “Trust must be rebuilt through performance, not assurances.”
Why Abstention, Not a ‘No’ Vote
Explaining his final position, Senator Twayen said voting “NO” would have undermined the technical improvements and economic gains secured through advocacy, while a “YES” vote would have suggested confidence that he does not yet believe ArcelorMittal has earned.
“Abstention was the most responsible option,” he explained, “because while progress was made, oversight must continue.”
Commitment to Oversight
Senator Twayen assured the people of Nimba County and Liberia that ratification marks the beginning not the end of concession compliance oversight. He pledged sustained monitoring to ensure that all commitments are fully, timely, and verifiably implemented.
“Our vigilance has already produced results,” he said, thanking Senate leadership, fellow lawmakers, and the IMCC for engaging constructively. “But only sustained oversight will determine whether these commitments translate into real benefits for affected communities.”
He concluded by reaffirming his resolve to stand for compliance, accountability, and the protection of both county and national interests.
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