It is with rising concern and deep national dismay that we at The Liberian Investigator address the recent letter from Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc. to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, dated May 3, 2025. The tone, timing, and content of this correspondence are not only highly inappropriate—they represent a direct attempt to browbeat the Liberian government into submission and dictate sovereign policy in favor of a foreign private interest.
Let us call this what it is: a veiled threat. Ivanhoe Atlantic, a subsidiary of billionaire Robert Friedland’s High Power Exploration (HPX), is attempting to pressure our duly elected President into overriding a decision made by an organ of government—the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC)—simply because it does not serve their interests. This behavior is an outright insult to Liberia’s sovereignty and democratic processes.
In its letter, Ivanhoe expresses discontent with the government’s designation of ArcelorMittal as the operator of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway line, contrary to the company’s expectations of a “multi-user” regime. The letter goes so far as to question the legitimacy of the IMCC’s process and implies—without evidence—that the absence of a few ministers delegitimizes the committee’s decision. This is not a respectful inquiry. It is corporate arm-twisting masquerading as diplomacy.
Even more disturbingly, Ivanhoe’s letter insinuates that President Boakai himself has broken promises. It cites Executive Order No. 136, issued in October 2024, and claims the Government has reneged on a commitment to an “independent operator model.” Yet nowhere in Liberian law or executive orders does it suggest that the nation must subordinate its infrastructure to the whims of one foreign investor, however loud or litigious.
We must remember: Liberia’s rail infrastructure is a national strategic asset—not a gift to be handed over to the highest foreign bidder. The government’s decision to place this infrastructure under the operation of ArcelorMittal may be debated by stakeholders, but it is ultimately a sovereign decision, made through internal consultative mechanisms. No private company has the right to undermine that sovereignty.
Let us also not forget who Ivanhoe Atlantic and HPX are. Backed by Western capital, HPX is spearheading the so-called Liberty Corridor project, a trans-Guinean rail initiative meant to connect the Nimba region to the Liberian port of Buchanan. While it promises jobs and development, HPX’s conduct has often revealed a sense of entitlement—not partnership. Instead of aligning with Liberia’s vision of infrastructure sharing and development cooperation, HPX seeks exclusive control under the guise of “independent operation.”
Moreover, the tone of Ivanhoe’s letter demonstrates a glaring disregard for Liberia’s constitutional governance. It essentially demands the President bypass an inter-ministerial body and issue a “written directive” to enforce corporate will. This is unprecedented—and unacceptable.
We must ask: would Ivanhoe dare issue such a directive to a sitting U.S. President? Would it so brazenly instruct Nigeria’s, Kenya’s, or South Africa’s leadership on how to handle their domestic railways? The answer is obvious. So why does Ivanhoe feel emboldened to talk down to Liberia?
Because it underestimates us.
But they would be wrong to do so. President Boakai’s administration has demonstrated a consistent commitment to transparency, reform, and reclaiming Liberia’s dignity on the global stage. This includes a commitment to ensuring that no foreign company—be it HPX, ArcelorMittal, or otherwise—hijacks our infrastructure or uses diplomatic back channels to bypass accountability.
If HPX is a serious investor committed to Liberia’s long-term growth, it must respect our governance processes. Real partners negotiate in good faith and recognize the ultimate authority of the host nation—not lecture its president in public correspondence and demand unilateral concessions.
We urge President Boakai not to buckle under this corporate pressure. Liberia’s national interest must come first. The Yekepa–Buchanan railway is a lifeline, and whoever operates it must do so under terms that benefit the people of Liberia—not foreign shareholders in boardrooms thousands of miles away.
To Ivanhoe Atlantic and HPX, our message is simple: Respect Liberia. Respect our processes. Respect our sovereignty.
We will not be bullied.
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