Monrovia – Former Presidential candidate Alexander Cummings has raised critical considerations over Liberia’s inner governance, questioning the nation’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Cummings, the political chief of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) has shrink back from the general public sphere for essentially the most a part of the Boakai-Koung administration.
On Wednesday, Cummings broke silence and spoke on a variety of nationwide points.
On Liberia’s Security Council bid, Cummings stated the “unlawful” elimination of House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and different governance points are undermining the worldwide 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 stated.
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 again 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 stated.
The debate comes at a essential time as Liberia prepares to hunt a seat on the UN Security Council. Observers observe that ongoing inner disputes, significantly these associated to legislative procedures comparable to the correct election and elimination of the speaker, might jeopardize the nation’s repute and its skill to imagine a management position on the worldwide stage.
As the federal government grapples with these governance points, there’s a rising name amongst Liberian leaders to forge inner compromises and current a united entrance. Many imagine that resolving these disputes is important not just for the UN bid but additionally for repositioning Liberia as a reputable companion for world funding and financial development.
Mr. Cummings made his title in company America the place on the zenith of his profession, he served as Chief Administrator and vp 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 variety of nationwide points, Mr. Cummings known as on Liberia to scale back its dependence on overseas assist, urging the nation to give attention to self-sufficiency and financial repositioning in response to the current discount in U.S. help.
“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 momentary shutdown of USAID, the Trump administration has reduce assist to most components of the world together with Liberia. This reduce is affecting numerous packages in each the personal and public sectors in Liberia.
Cummings expressed empathy for Liberians affected by the help cuts, significantly college students who will not obtain faculty meals and healthcare services that relied on U.S.-funded medical provides. He additionally acknowledged the affect on Liberian professionals employed underneath USAID packages who might face job losses. However, he careworn that this problem ought to function a wake-up name for Liberia to take management of its personal financial 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 said.
Cummings identified that the success of the United States is essentially pushed by the personal sector, not the federal government, and urged Liberia to create a extra business-friendly atmosphere. He emphasised the necessity to battle corruption and enhance governance to make the nation engaging to buyers.
“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 stated.
Reallocating Resources and Regional Collaboration
Cummings careworn the significance of utilizing Liberia’s present sources correctly, together with restructuring authorities spending to fill gaps left by overseas assist cuts. He urged the legislature and public places of work to reallocate funds towards important providers like healthcare and schooling.
Drawing a comparability to the Middle East, Cummings highlighted how oil-rich nations remodeled their economies by collectively managing their sources. He argued that Liberia, together with different Mano River Union nations, ought to undertake the same method to realize extra leverage from its pure 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 famous.
He warned that Liberia alone can not dictate world market costs for sources like iron ore, gold, and rubber, as consumers might simply flip to opponents comparable to Guinea. Instead, he known as for regional cooperation to barter higher phrases for Africa’s pure sources.
Strategic Thinking Over Confrontation
Addressing considerations about Liberia’s relationship with the United States, Cummings cautioned towards any try and problem America’s financial or political affect, referencing previous leaders who confronted penalties 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 have interaction strategically with worldwide companions whereas guaranteeing that the nation’s pure wealth advantages its folks moderately than a privileged few.
Investing in Healthcare and Governance
Cummings additionally underscored the necessity to prioritize major healthcare, noting that preventable ailments comparable to malaria, typhoid, and hypertension stay main causes of loss of life in Liberia. He known as for well-equipped clinics, higher healthcare insurance policies, and sustained funding within the sector.
On governance, he supported President Joseph Boakai’s directive for officers to declare their belongings inside 30 days, suggesting that non-compliance ought to lead to dismissals.
“I think it’s a good move. If they don’t declare their assets, then he should fire them,” Cummings stated.
‘Liberia Must Take Control of Its Future’
As the nation navigates the affect of lowered overseas assist, Cummings maintained that Liberia should shift from dependence on worldwide donors to constructing a resilient financial system. He urged leaders to take decisive steps in reforming governance, fostering financial development, and strengthening nationwide 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 rising requires financial transformation, Cummings’ message resonates as Liberia faces the problem of charting a brand new course towards self-reliance.