On February 18, 2026, a significant labor protest took place at the AFCON Camp in Yekepa, Nimba County, Liberia, primarily concerning worker grievances over wages and employment benefits. Initially starting as a peaceful demonstration, the situation escalated violently, resulting in injuries to police personnel and numerous arrests. The government has yet to assess the overall damage caused by the unrest, indicating the serious nature of the situation.

Eyewitnesses reported that the protest began with workers peacefully voicing their demands; however, it quickly turned violent as tensions escalated. Riot police were deployed, utilizing tear gas and firing warning shots to control the crowd, who allegedly retaliated by throwing stones. This conflict highlights the growing frustration among workers regarding their treatment and compensation, particularly in light of similar protests that have occurred recently at the same mining site.

The triggering factors behind this latest protest remain officially unrecognized, but the ongoing dissatisfaction among workers at AFCON, a company linked to ArcelorMittal Liberia, has been evident in prior actions. Just days before this violent outbreak, workers had previously staged another protest demanding better wages, indicating a pattern of unrest and unresolved issues concerning labor conditions in the region, creating a challenging environment for both the company and the local government.