LIBERIA – A wave of discontent swept through Monrovia on Monday, March 3, 2025, as hundreds of motorcyclists staged a massive protest against the government’s decision to restrict their access to major roads. The demonstrators voiced their frustration, arguing that it is unfair to deny them access after collecting fees for registrations, licenses, insurance, and reflective jackets totaling US$350.
Gathering in large numbers along Tubman Boulevard, the motorcyclists marched toward Central Monrovia, demanding a full refund. Many argued that they had complied with the government’s requirements under the belief that it would guarantee their right to operate on the city’s primary roads. With the new restrictions now in place, they feel deceived.
“We paid to ride on the main streets, but now they are pushing us off. If they don’t want us on the main roads, they should give us our money back,” said Frank Moses, one of the protesting riders. Another protester, voicing concerns about rising unemployment, said, “We are just trying to make an honest living. We don’t want to steal, but the government is making things harder for us.”
The protest, while peaceful, reflected the deep frustration among motorcyclists who rely on commercial biking as a primary source of income in a country struggling with high unemployment. Many participants made it clear they would not back down until the government meets their demands.
Meanwhile, the Merged Federation of Motorcycle and Tricycle Union of Liberia (M-FOMTUL) publicly disassociated itself from the demonstration. The union alleged that the protest was politically motivated and linked to the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) through an unauthorized group known as the “Supreme Motorcycle and Tricycle Union of Liberia.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, March 2, 2025, M-FOMTUL accused the CDC’s youth wing of using motorcyclists to stir unrest. “This demonstration is not about the welfare of riders. It is a political agenda driven by elements of the CDC to destabilize the city,” the statement read. The union’s president, John Kenyon, urged members to avoid participating and called for calm.
M-FOMTUL assured its members that their grievances, including concerns over restricted access to Central Monrovia, are being addressed through dialogue with the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police. To further ease tensions, the union announced that impounded motorcycles would be released free of charge starting March 3, 2025, once owners present original bike documents.
The CDC has yet to issue a response to the allegations. However, the protest highlights the growing political influence over Liberia’s commercial motorcyclists, a group historically known for its involvement in public demonstrations and political campaigns.
Meanwhile, the motorcyclists have vowed to sustain their protest until the government either refunds their fees or lifts the restrictions barring them from using Monrovia’s main roads.
