By: Staff Writer
MONROVIA – Liberia’s Economic Advisor, Molley Kamara, has strongly criticized Bronwyn Barnes, President and CEO of Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc., accusing her of disrespecting President Boakai in a recent letter concerning the government’s decision to retain ArcelorMittal Liberia as the operator of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway.
FrontPage Africa says Kamara condemned Barnes’ May 3, 2025 letter as “highly disrespectful,” alleging it sought to undermine the President and pressure the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC) in a response obtained by the paper.
“Your letter is not only inappropriate for the office it was addressed to, but also an affront to the person who holds that office—my President, H.E. Joseph N. Boakai, Sr.,” Kamara wrote. “You would never dare write your Prime Minister or Donald Trump such a letter.”
Barnes’ letter expressed frustration with the IMCC’s decision, which she argued contradicted earlier commitments to establish an independent, multi-user railway system. “Mr. President, I am compelled to express my dismay that the IMCC has failed to act in alignment with your clear policy direction as set in your Executive Order,” she wrote, claiming the decision ignored the government’s pledge to ensure transparency and equal rail access.
She urged President Boakai to reverse the decision through a formal directive, warning that delays could hurt investor confidence and damage Liberia’s international standing.
Kamara rebutted these claims, accusing Barnes of attempting to publicly shame the President and manipulate the IMCC. He raised doubts about Ivanhoe’s consistency and transparency, especially concerning its $5 billion Liberty Corridor project. “In February 2024, you and Mr. Robert Friedland announced this major investment. But since then, you’ve shifted course, choosing to rely on infrastructure developed by your competitor,” he stated.
Kamara emphasized Liberia’s sovereignty and made it clear that the government would not tolerate what he described as bullying or disrespect from foreign companies.
He also questioned Ivanhoe’s economic impact claims, including a projected $3.15 billion benefit, for which he said no data has been provided. Additionally, he cast doubt on the feasibility of Ivanhoe’s plans to ship Guinean ore through Liberia, asking whether the Guinean government had guaranteed such an arrangement.
The IMCC recently confirmed AML’s continued control over the rail corridor, citing both legal and logistical factors. Ivanhoe, a subsidiary of High Power Exploration (HPX), has contested the decision. The company had proposed developing the Liberty Corridor to improve regional mining and transport infrastructure but has since shifted focus to seeking access to AML’s existing rail system.
Kamara concluded by criticizing Ivanhoe’s lack of transparency and commitment to Liberia’s development priorities. “Your company has failed to provide essential documentation,” he said. “And to date, we’ve received no guarantees from Guinea regarding ore shipments through Liberia—raising further questions about your project’s viability.”
