A significant collaboration has been established between the Accompong Maroon community and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to accelerate reconstruction efforts following the devastating impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. This development comes after initial resistance from Maroon leadership created temporary tensions regarding external military assistance in the sovereign Maroon territory.
Colonel Richard Currie, leader of the Accompong Maroons, initially expressed strong opposition to military involvement through social media channels, characterizing the proposed aid as an unwanted ‘militarization’ of the historic Maroon village. This stance emerged despite Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s personal visit and pledge of JDF support, threatening to exacerbate existing tensions between the Maroon administration and the Jamaican government.
The community response proved decisive as residents voiced strong dissent against Currie’s position through organized protests. Villagers reported catastrophic damage exceeding 95% of housing infrastructure, with many expressing frustration over delayed reconstruction efforts and the initial rejection of crucial governmental assistance.
Following constructive negotiations on December 18, 2025, at Accompong Primary School, all parties reached a comprehensive agreement addressing key concerns including communication protocols, designated community liaisons, and weapons policy for military personnel. The JDF Engineering Regiment has now commenced operations, mobilizing daily from Luana/Maggotty to execute critical repairs throughout the community.
Resident testimonies reflect widespread relief and appreciation for the progressing reconstruction. ‘The soldiers are fixing houses and we don’t have any problem with them,’ shared one anonymous resident. ‘They’re helping people who really cannot manage to fix their houses right now.’
The agreement establishes a framework of transparency with weekly update meetings and designated points of contact, ensuring community oversight throughout the recovery process. This collaboration aims to complete comprehensive repairs for all storm-damaged homes while respecting the unique cultural and historical status of the Accompong Maroon community.