By Jeremiah Gayflor
Saclepea, Nimba County ~ In a sharply worded statement released over the weekend, Representative Musa Bility, Political Leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), leveled serious accusations against President Joseph N. Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung, accusing the pair of engaging in tribal politics and fostering division within the country.
Bility, a representative of Nimba County and a vocal critic of the current administration, drew a stark comparison between the leadership styles of President Boakai in Lofa County and Vice President Koung in Nimba County. His remarks came in a public letter titled “The Tale of Two Leadership”, which has since sparked debate in political and civil society circles.
“Lofa and Nimba Counties: the story of two leaders, two outcomes,” Bility wrote. “In Lofa, we see a President who, while often accused of tribal politics, has managed to consolidate power and unify his home county. In Nimba, we are witnessing a Vice President who has divided his base, alienated allies, and resorted to tactics of intimidation and exclusion.”
Bility acknowledged President Boakai’s history of tribal-centered politics but suggested that the President has turned this into a political strength. “Despite being opposed by many of Lofa’s most prominent figures in both 2017 and 2023, Boakai succeeded in winning the presidency without their support. And remarkably, once in office, he brought nearly all of them under his influence,” Bility wrote.
In contrast, Bility was unsparing in his criticism of Vice President Koung, who also hails from Nimba County. According to Bility, Koung has “squandered the trust” of Nimba’s people and fostered internal division instead of unity.
“Meeting with the Vice President has become a point of suspicion,” Bility claimed, adding that prominent Nimba figures such as Edith Gongloe, Samuel Kogar, and others have been sidelined for expressing independent political views. He further accused Koung of targeting him personally, not only in the political arena but also in business, alleging harassment by local officials under the Vice President’s influence.
“He [Koung] cannot control me politically, so he has resorted to intimidation. But this only strengthens my resolve,” Bility stated. “Nimba will resist. Nimba will speak out against his divisive politics. And I am proud to lead that charge.”
Bility’s letter concludes with a pointed reflection: “These are the two tales before us. One of redemption. One of betrayal. And history will judge them accordingly.”
Neither the Office of the President nor the Vice President has issued a formal response to Bility’s accusations at the time of this publication.
The letter adds fuel to what is becoming a growing political rift between high-profile leaders from Liberia’s major counties, raising questions about national unity, internal party dynamics, and the future of the Boakai-Koung leadership as Liberia approaches mid-term political assessments.
