Hearing into the contentious Executive Order 166 by the House Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was further extended to a later date following nearly four hours of presentations by contesting parties.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
It can be recalled that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on June 26, 2026 issued Executive Order No. 166, which indefinitely bans the export of unprocessed natural rubber from Liberia.
Effective July 1, 2026, the directive prohibits the export of raw rubber forms—including natural latex, coagulum, cup lump, tree lace, and ground scrap. The administration enacted this ban to stimulate domestic industrialization, protect rural livelihoods, create jobs, and foster the manufacturing of finished rubber products like tires and gloves within Liberia.
The decision has since brought split among key stakeholders within the rubber sector, most particularly between two key regulatory bodies – the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) backing the presidential directive, while the National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia (NARBFUL) expressing serious opposition to the Order.
The continuing rigmarole prompted the immediately intervention of the House of Representatives, which in turn instructed its Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to delve into the matter and advise plenary on a way forward.
But our reporter said following conflicting testimonies from contesting parties, the Chairman of the Committee, Grand Bassa County Electoral District 4 Representative, Alfred Flomo, announced further extension with request that each party reduce their testimonies into writings with supported document and return next Wednesday, July 22.
Board Chair Warns Against Monopoly
While the hearing was ongoing, a group of rubber farmers under the banner of National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia (NARBFUL) stormed the grounds of the Capitol in huge numbers in detestation of the Executive Order, which they claimed, aims to undermine local farmers and promote monopoly.
The union argues that this mandate creates a monopoly for foreign concession companies, forces local farmers into poverty, and violates free market laws.
Speaking to reporters, the Chairman of the Board of NARBFUL, Mr. Francis Saywon Younge, claimed that the Agriculture Minister misled the President into signing a policy that effectively eliminates competition and fair pricing for small-scale producers.
Younge, a former Representative of River Gee County Electoral District 2, asserted that in order to prevent the destruction of private farms for charcoal production, the Liberian leader needs to repeal.
On behalf of NARBFUL, the former River Gee County lawmaker, emphasized that their rubber farms are privately owned, and the government should prioritize the economic survival of indigenous farmers over corporate interests.
The NARBFUL Board Chair disclosed that the organization had formally written President Boakai requesting dialogue on the matter.
He urged the President to meet directly with rubber farmers before making further decisions affecting the sector.
“We know President Boakai to be a listening President. We believe once he hears from the farmers, he will understand why this executive order is not in the interest of ordinary Liberians,” asserted the NARBFUL Board Chair as he maintained that allowing only a few processing companies to purchase rubber would create monopoly conditions and reduce incomes for thousands of farming households.
Directive Will Increase Poverty
During the peaceful protest at the Capitol Building, aggrieved farmers were seen carrying placards bearing messages such as, “Executive Order 166 is Modern Slavery,” “Wrong Advice Leads to Wrong Decision,” “Repeal Executive Order 166,” “Agriculture Minister Must Go,” and “Mr. President Please Review Executive Order 166.”
Like their leaders, some protesters urged the President to withdraw the executive order without conditions, insisting that it would impoverish local farmers while benefiting only a handful of processing companies.
“We need an open market for rubber. Liberians should have the opportunity to compete freely in the rubber business,” one of the protesting farmers said.
The farmer appealed directly to President Boakai, arguing that local entrepreneurs should be allowed to operate without restrictions that favor foreign-owned processing companies.
“This is how we feed our families and send our children to school. If our rubber business is destroyed, we cannot support our homes. We are pleading with the President to have mercy on us and remove this executive order,” another farmer noted.
Union Says Executive Order Violates Free Market Principles
Speaking on behalf of the union, NARBFUL Vice President for Administration, Stanley F.J. Sayewolo averred that Executive Order No. 166 contradicts Liberia’s free market policy and the country’s anti-competition laws.
He recalled that Liberia adopted the Anti-Competition Act in 2016 to discourage monopolistic business practices, making the latest executive order inconsistent with existing legislation.
“We want a willing buyer and willing seller market system. We do not want a situation where only a few processing companies determine the price of rubber,” Sayewolo furthered.
OVERLAPPING AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL
He further argued that the executive order was imposed while another executive order regulating the sector remains in effect, creating what he described as overlapping and unconstitutional restrictions.
Sayewolo maintained that the rubber in question belongs to individual farmers who established their farms with private resources rather than government assistance.
“The government did not plant these rubber trees. The concession companies did not plant them either. These are private investments by Liberian farmers,” he stated.
Farmers Accuse Agriculture Minister of Misleading President
The union also accused Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah of providing misleading information to President Boakai regarding conditions in the rubber sector, an alleagtion Minister Nuetah himself confirmed during the hearing to lawmakers, wherein he revealed that the presidential directive was based on his advisement based on his experience of the sector.
“The Agriculture Minister misinformed the President. We believe if the President hears directly from us, he will understand the hardship this executive order is creating.”
Sayewolo claimed that previous government support intended to strengthen local rubber processing did not benefit smallholder farmers as intended.
Call for Manufacturing Instead of Restrictions
Rather than banning exports of raw rubber, the union wants government to promote investment in manufacturing.
The group recommended that the government encourage companies to establish factories producing rubber-based products such as tires, rubber bands, gloves and other finished goods.
It states that developing manufacturing capacity would naturally increase demand for locally produced rubber without imposing restrictions on farmers.
President of Union Defends Farmers’ Property Rights
National President James W. Sayekea described the rubber farms owned by Liberians as private property deserving constitutional protection, thus criticizing penalties contained in the executive order, describing proposed fines against violators as excessive.
“The rubber belongs to us. Neither the government nor concession companies planted it for us,” the NARBFUL President declared, adding, “I don’t think planting rubber should become a crime in Liberia.”
Like Board Chair Younge, he called on President Boakai to personally review the order and reconsider its impact on ordinary Liberian farmers.
“We don’t believe the President intended to punish farmers. We are asking him to review the document and protect the interests of his citizens.”
Dispute with Rubber Planters Association
Responding to questions about differences between NARBFUL and the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL), the NARBFUL President accused the association of representing large commercial plantations and concession companies rather than smallholder farmers.
He points out that RPAL’s membership consists primarily of owners with large rubber holdings and foreign concession companies.
“Our organization exists to advocate for smallholder farmers. Their agenda is different from ours. We are fighting to improve the lives of Liberian farmers, while they support policies that suppress competition.”
Farmers Remain Hopeful
The farmers are upbeat that the President will review Executive Order No. 166 and replace it with policies that promote investment, manufacturing, and fair competition while protecting the livelihoods of thousands of Liberian rubber farmers.
The protest comes amid an ongoing national debate over the future of Liberia’s rubber industry, with government seeking to increase domestic value addition while farmers argue that any transition should be gradual and should not deprive them of access to competitive markets or their primary source of income.
