Accompong Chief Richard Currie says the Accompong Maroon Council has declined the use of military personnel, including Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) engineers, in the post–Hurricane Melissa rebuilding effort.
In a statement posted to his Instagram account on Thursday and addressed to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Culture Olivia Grange, and the JDF, Currie emphasized that the decision should not be interpreted as hostility or ingratitude.
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“This decision is not a rejection of cooperation, nor does it diminish the appreciation of the humanitarian intent behind your offer. Rather, it reflects Accompong’s capacity to manage its internal recovery efforts through established civilian channels and international collaborations,” the statement said.
Currie added that he expects the Government to respect the community’s position.
“We trust there will be no forceful response to Accompong’s decision and that all parties can understand the foundational principles of indigenous rights,” he said.
The Holness administration and the maroon leadership have had longstanding disagreements over issues related to sovereignty and the extent of governmental authority within Accompong’s traditional territory.
During a visit on Sunday, Prime Minister Holness announced that JDF engineers would assist with rebuilding efforts in the community, where approximately 80 per cent of the two hundred sixty homes were damaged. Holness also delivered a generator to the Accompong Primary and Infant School and stressed the need to prepare the community for the annual maroon festival in January.
Currie, however, said Accompong has already secured international donations, technical partnerships, and volunteer engineering support that are sufficient to meet its reconstruction needs. These collaborations, managed through the Accompong Development Foundation, were described as the result of years of relationship-building and provide what Currie called a culturally aligned framework for rebuilding.
The chief also raised concerns about the potential emotional impact of a military presence.
“Our community, particularly women, elders, and children, has endured profound emotional trauma following the hurricane and its aftermath. The introduction of military personnel carrying assault rifles, even in a humanitarian capacity, could exacerbate distress among residents,” he said.
Currie maintained that recovery efforts conducted through civilian and community-based teams are the most appropriate approach to protect both emotional security and cultural stability.
He further cited Accompong’s governance obligations under the 1738 Peace Treaty. According to Currie, all recovery operations must comply with Accompong law and cultural protocols, making civilian-led reconstruction the most suitable method.
The maroons are descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped British plantations and established autonomous communities in the mountains of Jamaica. Their peace treaty with the British Crown formally recognized their self-governance and unique cultural rights.
