By: Melvin Flomo
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MONROVIA, LIBERIA — CMC Political Leader and District #7, Nimba County Lawmaker, Hon. Musa Hassan Bility has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to abandon plans for a second presidential term, arguing that the Liberian leader should instead use the remainder of his tenure to strengthen state institutions, address the country’s major challenges and secure a lasting legacy.
In a strongly worded letter written from Belgium under the title “Mr. President, Choose Your Legacy,” Bility said Liberia is facing serious difficulties, including concerns over national reconciliation, economic performance, the country’s drug crisis, legislative accountability, national security and declining public confidence in government.
Bility, a political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), said his message was not intended as an insult to President Boakai but as a direct appeal from someone who believes the president still has an opportunity to significantly influence Liberia’s future.
Bility: “Do Not Seek Another Term”
Bility’s central appeal was for President Boakai to publicly commit to serving only his current term.
“MR. PRESIDENT, DO NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM.”
He argued that President Boakai would be 84 years old at the time of the 2029 presidential election and 85 when the next administration is inaugurated. According to Bility, another six-year mandate would extend the president’s service into his early 90s.
While acknowledging that age should be treated with respect, Bility questioned whether another presidential term would be in the best interest of both the president and the country, given the demanding nature of the presidency.
He said the presidency requires sustained physical energy, constant vigilance, decision-making capacity and the ability to withstand intense national pressure.
Warns Against “Personal Interests”
Bility also cautioned President Boakai against individuals he believes may be encouraging him to seek another term for their own political and personal interests.
According to him, some officials and political actors could benefit from maintaining access to presidential power and therefore have an incentive to encourage the president to remain in office beyond his current mandate.
He urged Boakai to distinguish between those genuinely committed to Liberia’s interests and those whose political ambitions may be tied to the president’s continued candidacy.
Bility argued that announcing a decision not to seek reelection could free the administration from succession politics and allow it to concentrate entirely on governance.
Drug Crisis Takes Center Stage
A significant portion of the letter focused on Liberia’s ongoing drug crisis.
Bility called for an independent and credible investigation into the country’s drug-related cases and seizures, arguing that Liberians deserve answers about how illicit drugs enter the country, who finances them, who facilitates their movement and whether state officials or security personnel could be involved.
He said the government should invite credible international partners to assist with an independent investigation and allow evidence to determine who should face prosecution, regardless of political affiliation or position.
Bility also distinguished between ongoing criminal proceedings involving former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and broader questions surrounding drug seizures in Liberia.
He maintained that any criminal case must be decided by a court based on evidence and due process, while stressing that such proceedings should not prevent authorities from investigating other alleged drug-trafficking networks.
Calls for Institutional Reform
Beyond the drug crisis, Bility urged President Boakai to use the remainder of his administration to strengthen Liberia’s democratic institutions.
Among his recommendations are efforts to:
- Advance genuine national reconciliation;
- Strengthen the independence of the Legislature;
- Restore public confidence in national security institutions;
- Prioritize competence and integrity in government appointments;
- Hold public officials accountable regardless of their political connections;
- Strengthen the electoral system;
- Ensure a transparent voters’ roll;
- Support a credible and independent National Elections Commission; and
- Reorganize government around performance, accountability and public service.
Bility said Liberia needs an electoral process capable of producing results that citizens across the political divide can trust.
“More Than Three Years” to Change Liberia
The CMC political leader argued that President Boakai still has sufficient time to change the trajectory of the country before the end of his administration.
He said the president could use the remaining years of his tenure to rebuild institutions, restore public confidence and leave Liberia in a more stable condition than he found it.
Bility warned that a focus on securing another term could instead deepen political competition, succession battles and divisions within the country.
He urged the president to govern without being consumed by the question of who succeeds him or whether he himself will remain in office.
“Choose Your Legacy”
Bility concluded his letter by presenting what he described as a defining choice for President Boakai: pursue another term or dedicate the remainder of his presidency to preparing Liberia for a peaceful transition and stronger democratic future.
He said a decision not to seek reelection could allow political aspirants to leave government, organize themselves and present their visions to Liberian voters ahead of the 2029 elections.
For Bility, the president’s greatest opportunity is no longer simply to remain in power, but to be remembered as a statesman who voluntarily placed Liberia’s long-term interests above personal political ambition.
“Mr. President, choose your legacy,” Bility wrote, urging Boakai to tell Liberians that he will not seek another term and to govern with the determination of a leader who has nothing left to seek for himself and everything left to give to the country.
The letter comes as Liberia gradually enters a period of heightened political discussion ahead of the 2029 presidential, with questions surrounding succession, governance and the future direction of the country expected to become increasingly prominent.
President Boakai has yet to publicly respond to Bility’s call for him to forego a second-term bid and instead focus on securing a lasting legacy for his administration.
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