Monrovia – Former Presidential candidate Alexander Cummings has raised serious concerns over Liberia’s internal governance, questioning the country’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Cummings, the political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) has shy away from the public sphere for the most part of the Boakai-Koung administration.
On Wednesday, Cummings broke silence and spoke on a wide range of national issues.
On Liberia’s Security Council bid, Cummings said the “unlawful” removal of House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and other governance issues are undermining the international credibility of Liberia.
“I have mostly been around, but I have also been travelling in the region and other parts of Africa including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, the US, and other places. And the perception of what’s happening in our Legislature is not good. There are clear rules about how you elect a speaker and there are clear rules about how you get rid of a speaker. Those rules in terms of how you get rid of a speaker were not followed. So, that perception is not good for Liberia,” Cummings said.
He continued, “Look, we are aspiring to go on the UN Security Council… our bid will not be helped by the fact that people will ask us and say you want to come to the UN Security Council to mediate, provide leadership but what’s happening in your own house…? This is an issue about governance. I think the actors – the president and all the key actors – need to get in a room somewhere and they shouldn’t leave until they find some form of compromise.”
In response, Minister of Information Jerolinmek Matthew Piah fired back sharply. “Mr. Cummings has been missing in action since the election. His only motivation for coming out of his hideaway was to cast suspicion over Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council,” Piah said.
The debate comes at a critical time as Liberia prepares to seek a seat on the UN Security Council. Observers note that ongoing internal disputes, particularly those related to legislative procedures such as the proper election and removal of the speaker, could jeopardize the country’s reputation and its ability to assume a leadership role on the international stage.
As the government grapples with these governance issues, there is a growing call among Liberian leaders to forge internal compromises and present a united front. Many believe that resolving these disputes is essential not only for the UN bid but also for repositioning Liberia as a credible partner for global investment and economic growth.
Mr. Cummings made his name in corporate America where at the zenith of his career, he served as Chief Administrator and vice president of Coca-Cola. He resigned in 2016 and returned to Liberia. He has unsuccessfully contested in two consecutive presidential elections.
Repositioning Liberia
Speaking on a wide range of national issues, Mr. Cummings called on Liberia to reduce its dependence on foreign aid, urging the country to focus on self-sufficiency and economic repositioning in response to the recent reduction in U.S. assistance.
“In the minds of Americans—the biggest economy in the world—Liberia is positioned as a beggar. We need to change that perception. We need to position Liberia as a place where businesses can thrive, where investors can come and make money—not just bring foreign aid,” he added.
With the temporary shutdown of USAID, the Trump administration has cut aid to most parts of the world including Liberia. This cut is affecting various programs in both the private and public sectors in Liberia.
Cummings expressed empathy for Liberians affected by the aid cuts, particularly students who will no longer receive school meals and healthcare facilities that relied on U.S.-funded medical supplies. He also acknowledged the impact on Liberian professionals employed under USAID programs who may face job losses. However, he stressed that this challenge should serve as a wake-up call for Liberia to take control of its own economic future.
“The reality is, it needs to force us to reduce our dependence on others. The answer is not to go begging someone else. The answer is to look at our limitations and find ways to reallocate resources internally,” he stated.
Cummings pointed out that the success of the United States is largely driven by the private sector, not the government, and urged Liberia to create a more business-friendly environment. He emphasized the need to fight corruption and improve governance to make the country attractive to investors.
“In the minds of Americans—the biggest economy in the world—Liberia is positioned as a beggar. We need to change that perception. We need to position Liberia as a place where businesses can thrive, where investors can come and make money—not just bring foreign aid,” he said.
Reallocating Resources and Regional Collaboration
Cummings stressed the importance of using Liberia’s existing resources wisely, including restructuring government spending to fill gaps left by foreign aid cuts. He urged the legislature and public offices to reallocate funds toward essential services like healthcare and education.
Drawing a comparison to the Middle East, Cummings highlighted how oil-rich nations transformed their economies by collectively managing their resources. He argued that Liberia, along with other Mano River Union countries, should adopt a similar approach to gain more leverage from its natural wealth.
“Think about the success of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other oil-producing nations. They became successful when they controlled their oil and got more value from it. Africa, on the other hand, is divided among 54 countries with no leverage,” he noted.
He warned that Liberia alone cannot dictate global market prices for resources like iron ore, gold, and rubber, as buyers could easily turn to competitors such as Guinea. Instead, he called for regional cooperation to negotiate better terms for Africa’s natural resources.
Strategic Thinking Over Confrontation
Addressing concerns about Liberia’s relationship with the United States, Cummings cautioned against any attempt to challenge America’s economic or political influence, referencing past leaders who faced consequences for doing so.
“You cannot fight the United States. And we should never attempt to. The focus should be on getting more benefits from our resources, not picking unnecessary battles,” he warned.
He urged Liberian leaders to engage strategically with international partners while ensuring that the country’s natural wealth benefits its people rather than a privileged few.
Investing in Healthcare and Governance
Cummings also underscored the need to prioritize primary healthcare, noting that preventable diseases such as malaria, typhoid, and hypertension remain leading causes of death in Liberia. He called for well-equipped clinics, better healthcare policies, and sustained investment in the sector.
On governance, he supported President Joseph Boakai’s directive for officials to declare their assets within 30 days, suggesting that non-compliance should result in dismissals.
“I think it’s a good move. If they don’t declare their assets, then he should fire them,” Cummings said.
‘Liberia Must Take Control of Its Future’
As the country navigates the impact of reduced foreign aid, Cummings maintained that Liberia must shift from dependence on international donors to building a resilient economy. He urged leaders to take decisive steps in reforming governance, fostering economic growth, and strengthening national unity.
“We need to wake up. This aid is not coming back at the levels we once knew. We must re-engineer how we spend our resources and reposition Liberia as an attractive place for investment,” he concluded.
With growing calls for economic transformation, Cummings’ message resonates as Liberia faces the challenge of charting a new course toward self-reliance.
