Unseen Struggles: Why Liberian Communities Affected by World Bank Projects Are Still Fighting for Justice

After a long wait, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has finally responded to a serious investigation concerning human rights violations at the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) in Liberia. This response was over a year late, raising concerns about the handling of the case.

The IFC, which aims to support private sector growth in developing countries, provided a $10 million loan to SRC back in 2007 to help expand its rubber plantations. Local communities have complained about various abuses linked to SRC, from land grabbing to pollution and mistreatment of workers. After years of trying to address these issues directly with SRC and local governments, affected communities turned to the IFC’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman for help.

The investigation by the Ombudsman concluded in December 2023. However, the IFC has struggled to respond appropriately, requesting multiple extensions while communities continue to suffer from unresolved issues. Windor Smith from the Alliance for Rural Democracy expressed hope that the upcoming management action plan (MAP) would bring some relief and ease community tensions.

However, many worry about the delays. Paul Larry George, also from the Alliance for Rural Democracy, suggested the IFC might be stalling to avoid setting a precedent that could lead to compensation claims in other cases. “The IFC is intentionally delaying the MAP,” he stated, highlighting a lack of transparency in the entire process.

The waiting game continues as the World Bank’s board is expected to approve the final version of the MAP in March 2025. George noted that the IFC has weakened many of the Ombudsman’s original recommendations. As a result, communities still feel unheard and unsupported.

The situation worsened in June 2024 when protests erupted at the plantation due to poor working conditions. Shortly afterward, the Belgian company Socfin announced the sale of SRC to a Liberian investment firm, Jeety Rubber LLC. This change in ownership has added to the uncertainty about who will take responsibility for addressing the human rights violations.

Smith raised concerns about whether the new owner will follow through on any remedial actions. Reports of unpaid wages and intimidation of civil society groups persist, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among workers.

Despite inquiries, both the IFC and Jeety Rubber have not commented. Previously, Socfin stated it would commit to implementing corrective measures over a year-long transition period. However, this commitment is complicated by the fact that it did not address the findings of the ombudsman’s report directly.

The Salala case has been ongoing since the community complaint was filed in 2019. It marks one of the longest investigations since the IFC’s watchdog began operating in 1999. Typically, the IFC is expected to respond much quicker. Instead, they have missed several deadlines and only sought a six-month extension last July.

Community hopes for justice through the World Bank are dwindling. Meanwhile, local civil rights groups like Green Advocates have pursued a lawsuit in Liberian courts to recognize the land rights of communities in Margibi county, where Salala operates. A recent ruling has ordered a land survey to better understand the disputed areas.

The Salala Rubber Corporation case underscores broader issues of corporate responsibility and the struggles of local communities seeking accountability for abuses linked to foreign investments. The path to resolution remains fraught with challenges, but the affected communities and their allies continue to fight for their rights.