Paynesville— The owner of a local business center in Paynesville is appealing to the Government of Liberia to reconsider its decision to evict several business operators from the 72nd Junction area near properties owned by the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
By J.H. Webster Clayeh, websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com
Madam Frances Yonger Morsay, owner of the Help Yourself Business Center, broke down in tears during an emotional appeal, claiming that her investment—valued at over US$1.5 million—is at risk of demolition without due process.
Claims of No Prior Notice
Speaking to reporters at her residence, Madam Morsay said she was never notified by AFL authorities about any planned eviction, which she believes violates her rights as a Liberian businesswoman.
“I am not on AFL property. Even if we are asked to leave, we should be given notice, but we were not given any,” Morsay said. “I have invested over US$1.5 million.”
She added: “If my property is confiscated, I will lose US$1.5 million, I am a Liberian businesswoman without any support, and I worked hard to reach this far.”
She explained that she acquired the land nearly ten years ago from a family that possesses legal land deeds dating back to the 1970s, well before Liberia’s civil conflict. According to her, the family currently resides in the United States and requested two weeks to return to Liberia to clarify the ownership issue—an appeal she said the AFL refused to consider.
Disputed Ownership
Madam Morsay stated that at no point during her decade-long occupation was she informed that the land belonged to the AFL. The disputed property is located near the Army Barracks, commonly known as the 72nd Barracks.
She stressed that government intervention is urgently needed, citing the magnitude of her financial investment and the livelihoods tied to the business center.
Lack of Redress
Morsay also revealed that affected business owners have reached out to Representative Priscilla Abram Cooper, but have yet to receive any form of redress.
Although she said they initially accepted the AFL’s decision to barricade the properties, she believes the ongoing actions by the military are unnecessarily provocative.
“For over one week now, no one has come to my business center to do business,” she said. “This is placing serious financial pressure on me.”
She announced plans to formally appeal to the Office of the President and the Ministry of National Defense.
Government Position
Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense has reiterated its call for the immediate evacuation of what they termed as illegal occupants from Camp Ramrod Military Barracks, widely known as the 72nd Barracks.
In an official statement, the Ministry instructed civilians occupying areas within and around the barracks to vacate the premises within fourteen (14) days, effective Monday, January 19, 2026.
Authorities disclosed that during the voluntary evacuation period, the AFL Engineering Battalion will begin erecting physical barricades to clearly demarcate military property.
The Ministry noted that Camp Ramrod has been illegally occupied since the Liberian Civil War, and that repeated efforts to reclaim the property have failed. The continued occupation, according to the Ministry, has constrained the AFL’s ability to rehabilitate the facility and expand accommodation for newly recruited personnel.
The post Liberian Businesswoman Cries Out as AFL Targets US$1.5M Investment for Demolition appeared first on FrontPageAfrica.
Leave a Reply